Brown and Robinson Retire From England Squad
Fabio Capello has lost two more potential squad members as Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson and Manchester United defender Wes Brown declined their respective call ups to the England squad for England’s upcoming friendly against Hungary.
Robinson and Brown, both 30, narrowly missed out on the 23-man squad to travel to South Africa but were part of a renovated England squad ahead of Euro 2012 qualifying.
Robinson turned down his spot because “he was unwilling to be merely a squad member under Capello and has chosen to focus exclusively on club matters,” according to ESPN Soccernet.
Brown visited the team hotel in Watford to speak with Capello personally. “Wes Brown has this evening announced his retirement from international football,” read a statement from the FA on Sunday night. “He came to the England team hotel this evening to meet with and tell Fabio Capello in person.”
Brown’s absence will be hard to overcome as Capello looks to retool a back line that was shredded by Germany during the World Cup. The defender earned his first cap in 1999 and his final appearance came against Egypt in March, totaling in 22 appearances for the Three Lions.
No replacement players have been named as of yet. Robinson and Brown join Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey and Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher in announcing their retirement this summer.
Manchester City: Joe Hart Will Not Be Loaned
Despite an embarrassment of riches at the goalkeeping position Manchester City says they will not loan England keeper Joe Hart out this season. Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given is expected to retain the No. 1 shirt after recovering from a dislocated shoulder suffered near the end of last season.
The reverse is true if Hart manages to earn the starting spot during the season.
City manager Roberto Mancini said: “If we play Joe, Shay Given will still have a role in the team and if I pick Shay then Joe will help him.
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