Monday 21 May 2012

Hodgson Explains Carrick Omission

Manchester United midfielder, Michael Carrick, did not want to be considered for next month’s European Championships, according to England boss, Roy Hodgson.

There was some surprise that the 30-year-old former West Ham United and Tottenham midfielder was not included in England’s 23-man squad for the action in Ukraine and Poland, but Hodgson has revealed that Carrick was not interested in representing his country, this summer.

"I wouldn't dream of putting Michael Carrick on a standby list, after he's made it clear, in the past, he doesn't want to be involved like that”, said former Liverpool and West Brom manager, Hodgson.

"I'd have to be convinced he was better than the four central midfielders I've selected, and that he'd be happy to come out of retirement."

Spurs’ Scott Parker, who is currently struggling to recover from an Achilles injury, Manchester City’s Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Chelsea’a Frank Lampard are the four central midfielders Hodgson has chosen for the tournament.

Carrick made his England debut against Mexico, in May 2001, but he has not represented his country since the pre-World Cup 2010 friendly international against the Mexicans.

He played in England’s second-round victory against Ecuador, at World Cup 2006, but he has only won 22 caps.

That is a surprisingly small number of international appearances for a player than has featured in almost 200 Premier League matches for Manchester United, in the last six years.

Carrick has been a regular in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side since moving to Old Trafford from Tottenham in an £18.6million deal, in July 2006.

Hodgson’s Three Lions are currently the fifth-favourites for the win in the England Euro 2012 odds, behind France.

Visit the Betfair Euro 2012 website for more information on the upcoming tournament in Poland and the Ukraine.