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Hodgson should recall Terry - Wilkins

Terry has been out of the England setup for more than a year © Getty Images

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Former England midfielder Ray Wilkins believes John Terry's form this season should earn the Chelsea captain a call-up to Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.

Terry, 32, has 78 caps to his name but quit the international stage in September 2012 in the wake of the racism row involving Anton Ferdinand.

Wilkins, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek, said: "Gary Cahill hasn't been in the starting line-up for Chelsea and I think Jose [Mourinho] prefers David Luiz and John Terry, who Roy should have a little chat with because he was absolutely superb yesterday against Cardiff.

"I don't think we are blessed with too many centre-halves and if we could persuade John to have another go, we should.

"I have no idea [if he would be interested in an England return] because I haven't had the conversation with him. But it certainly would be one I'd be having if I was the England manager.

"I have absolutely no idea how it ended with him in the dressing room. I've never had the conversation with John. But all I can say is his reading of the game was absolutely superb yesterday."

Terry was cleared at Westminster Magistrates Court of racially abusing Ferdinand during a Premier League game in October 2011, but was banned for four matches by the FA. Terry quit England after claiming his position as England skipper had become "untenable".

But the FA's director of football development Trevor Brooking suggested Hodgson is more likely to turn to younger options.

"At the time, everyone assumed it was case closed," Brooking, also speaking to Sportsweek, said. "But you look at Phil [Jagielka} and Gary [Cahill], they have been the pairing for the last half a dozen games. Probably one player who has still to come back in is Phil Jones at Manchester United.

"I can remember him and Chris Smalling being outstanding in the under-21 tournament a few years ago but both those two have suffered injuries.

"But I think they will probably get their chance in the next two or three get-togethers in central defence to see if they can really make a bid to be one of those starting two. Probably they would get the first opportunity.

"With all the other options that Roy has got, [deciding not to recall Terry] will probably be his decision."

Hodgson was asked earlier in the week whether Terry could force their way back into his World Cup plans.

He said: "I like John Terry, he did a fantastic job for me at the Euros. But it's not the moment to start resurrecting that."

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