England manager Roy Hodgson has leapt to the defence of his new brigade of defenders amid calls for retired former captain John Terry to come out of retirement.
The Three Lions easily accounted for San Marino 8-0 in their 2014 World Cup qualifier on Friday, with Joleon Lescott and Chris Smalling preferred in the absence of Terry and veteran defender Rio Ferdinand, who has controversially travelled to Doha rather than be part of the squad.
“We’re working with a good group of players and had quite a few games since John retired,” Hodgson said. “And I think it’s wrong to ask for people to come back. Let’s stick to the guys that are playing regularly every week.
“I’ve got great respect for John and I thought he did a magnificent job during the Euros. But he has retired from international football. We’re talking about John but could be talking about Roy McFarland and Colin Todd — how far back do you want to go?
“Where do we stop? Do we ask for Michael Owen to come out of retirement every time we can’t score a goal?”
Hodgson continued: “Let’s show some respect for young Chris Smalling and the not-so-young but tried-and-tested Joleon Lescott. Joleon is at Manchester City, the champions of England, and Chris Smalling plays for Manchester United.
“I’m not exactly putting a couple of non-league guys out on the pitch on Tuesday night and I think we should show them a bit more respect and not constantly compare them.”