LONDON, England, May 16 – Manchester United central defender Rio Ferdinand will miss out on Euro 2012 new England manager Roy Hodgson confirmed when he announced his squad on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old did not make the squad because of worries over his longstanding back problem but his absence will ease tension within the squad as fellow central defender and former England skipper John Terry faces trial after the championship for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother Anton.
It will more than likely bring down the curtain on Ferdinand’s 81 cap career with his last appearance coming in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland last June.
Spurs defender and PFA Young Player of the Year Kyle Walker also missed out because of a broken toe which was originally thought not to be serious enough so as to cost him his place at the championship.
Stoke City striker, Peter Crouch and Manchester City right back, Micah Richards were also omitted from the squad with Manchester United defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling as well as Liverpool forward, Andy Caroll are set for the Poland trip when Hodgson formally announces the squad later on Wednesday.
The new manager travelled to Chelsea to talk with, John Terry and other England players in the team as he sought to draw the line under the race-row between the Blues captain and Ferdinand.
Hodgson, who emerged out of the blue to take a post many thought was going to Harry Redknapp, is also cancelled the training camp in Spain that had been organised by caretaker coach Stuart Pearce.
Instead of a training camp Hodgson wants the players to rest ahead of their warm-up match with Norway in Oslo on May 26.
England are in Group D along with old foes France, co-hosts Ukraine and Sweden.
