MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 19:33:35| >> :60:247:247:

Graham Roberts: Not football reasons for snubbing Rio Ferdinand

Roberts: Ferdinand, Terry conflict behind snub
© PA Photos
Former England defender Graham Roberts thinks that Roy Hodgson refused to call up Rio Ferdinand in order to dispel any tension between him and John Terry.

Former England international Graham Roberts believes that Roy Hodgson's decision to snub Rio Ferdinand was due to the defender's conflict with John Terry as opposed to football reasons.

The Manchester United centre-back is believed to have been outraged at Hodgson's refusal to call him into the squad following Gary Cahill's omission through injury.

"Roy made his decision when he put John Terry in the squad," Roberts told talkSPORT. "It would have been hard for them to play together with this situation hanging over their heads. Roy doesn't want that hassle in this tournament.

"Everyone's surprised but Roy is looking long-term. With the World Cup in Brazil [coming up] he's looking to see if these players can handle a tournament now.

"Had John Terry been injured I would have thought Rio Ferdinand would have been called up. I don't think Roy wants the hassle between the two. Roy's in a difficult job and he can't please everybody."

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has been called into the squad after Cahill was forced to bow out.

ID:29711: cacheID:29711:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2414:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Phil Jagielka
Read Next:
Jagielka backs Lescott partnership
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!