Hodgson not planning to persuade Terry out of retirement
England manager Roy Hodgson has said he has no plans to coax John Terry out of retirement despite the 65-year-old speaking of his “regret” at the Chelsea captain’s decision to make himself unavailable for England selection.
Terry’s retirement came ahead of the Football Association’s decision to hold a hearing and later ban him for four matches for racially abusing QPR defending Anton Ferdinand, a decision Terry claimed had made his position in the England team “untenable”.
However, according to the Press Association, Hodgson has said that England must now move on without their former captain.
“What I’ve said about John Terry, I stand by every word,” said Hodgson. “I regret his decision. He did a great job in the short time I worked with him, and played well for me. But he’s made his decision and it’s irrevocable as far as I’m concerned. I wish him well in his Chelsea career but it’s a closed chapter.
Terry’s decision to retire leaves Hodgson with a defensive selection headache ahead of England’s World Cup qualification double-header with San Marino and away to Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland. With Rio Ferdinand seemingly out of consideration, Terry’s place in Hodgson’s chosen squad went to Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, who accompanies regular choices Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott in central defence.
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