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Hodgson: Carrick made himself unavailable

ESPN staff
May 17, 2012
Michael Carrick was not prepared to play a fringe role © Getty Images
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Roy Hodgson has revealed he left Michael Carrick out of his England squad for the European Championship because the Manchester United midfielder was not prepared to fulfil a fringe role.

Carrick, 30, was one notable omission from the 23-man squad Hodgson announced on Wednesday - with the former Tottenham and West Ham player's name also missing from the list of players on standby for the squad in case of injury.

Hodgson confirmed that Carrick was left out because he had previously declared himself unprepared to make up the numbers with the Three Lions, while Hodgson deemed Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Scott Parker to all be preferable central midfield options.

"I wouldn't dream of putting Michael on a standby list after he has made it clear in the past he doesn't want to be involved like that," Hodgson said.

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

Carrick has not retired from international football, however, with Club England managing director Adrian Bevington confirming he was ready to help if circumstances ravaged Hodgson's midfield options.

"Michael will help in an extreme case," Bevington said.

Carrick has 22 England caps, and has been involved in two World Cup squads with the international setup. However, he managed just one substitute appearance during those tournaments.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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