Euro 2012: Carrick asked not to be considered for England – Hodgson
England's Roy Hodgson insists Manchester United's Michael Carrick was never available for consideration for his squad
Roy Hodgson insists Manchester United’s Michael Carrick was not available to be considered for the England manager’s Euro 2012 squad after Jordan Henderson was called up to replace the injured Frank Lampard.
Lampard, 33, was ruled out of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine following a scan on a thigh injury picked up in training on Wednesday.
Henderson has subsequently been drafted in to replace the Champions League winner, subject to an agreement from Uefa’s medical team, with the 21-year-old the fifth Liverpool player to be included in the 23-man travelling party.
The England manager said that Carrick’s absence was due to circumstances that arose before his appointment as Fabio Capello’s successor in May – but the former Fulham boss left the door ajar for the Red Devils midfielder to make a return after the tournament.
“The contacts with Michael were conducted before I took the job,” Hodgson said.
“It was made clear to me he was not a player who wanted to be considered so he wasn’t a player I considered.
“Michael Carrick is a player who I’ve always admired, of course, and who knows? In the future if these type of injuries continue then he might have a part to play. But I didn’t feel that was appropriate before the European championship.”
Meanwhile, Hodgson insisted that Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be given a chance to impress this summer.
The England boss said the 18-year-old will be considered for a place in the first-team for England’s friendly against Belgium on Saturday and further down the line at Euro 2012.
“He is working well and training hard. He has as much chance as anyone else of getting into the team – not only tomorrow but also the future,” he added.
“I don’t have any definite comments I can make about ‘yes he will play’ or ‘no he won’t play’. But he is there ready if I need to call on him.” 
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Read more on: England, Euro 2012, frank lampard, jordan henderson, michael carrick, Roy Hodgson.
