Int Football - Duo pull out of England squad

Eurosport - Tue, 07 Oct 22:35:00 2008

Micah Richards and Aaron Lennon have withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad to face Wales over the next week in their European Championship play-off.

FOOTBALL England Micah Richards - 0

Richards, who put his case forward for a return to the seniors when he featured against Slovenia, played against Liverpool for Manchester City at the weekend but will not report for international duty.

The 20-year-old (pictured) is thought to have picked up a knock, as has Lennon, who was substituted in the 74th minute of Tottenham's defeat to Hull.

Championship defensive duo Richard Stearman and Jack Cork were given call-ups to act as back-up for the duo.

Stearman, 21, plays for Wolves while Cork, 19, is on-loan at Southampton from Chelsea.

With Theo Walcott in Fabio Capello's squad, the withdrawal of Richards and Spurs winger Lennon denies coach Stuart Pearce of the players with the most senior experience among his youngsters.

Pearce, however, has Aston Villa's Craig Gardner to cover at right-back for the two-legged clash to reach the finals in Sweden next year, with the first leg of the play-off at Ninian Park in Cardiff on Friday.

The under-21s reached the semi-finals at the last tournament, with Pearce wanting to go one better this time around.

"My main drive from the offset, and the message I've given to the players when we started the tournament, is that we're in this tournament to try to win it," he said.

"We're not here to make up the numbers or just to get to the finals. You have to have it on your mind that there are 15 matches to play to win this tournament.

"That will be the same message as the other managers across Europe will be giving their players. If we get to the finals there are only seven other teams, you realise that."

Meanwhile, Pearce's youngsters will face Czech Republic in a friendly at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane on November 18.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. xavi for man city.. ya heard it here first, straight from the horses mouth...

    From flinto, on Thu 9 Oct 2:05AM

  2. dila you are a typical man utd fan. Criticising a city player when he's done nothing wrong. I have 3 questions for you:
    1. It clearly states Richards has picked up a knock. How is that anything to do with not wanting to play for his country??? He has always played proudly for the U-21s before.
    2. Why is Richards so bad for pulling out, yet Lennon doesn't even get a mention when he's done the same?
    3. Why are you deflecting your own stupidity onto others by saying Richards isn't bright enough? You're so thick that you can't even read an article properly.

    From haz_r_1980, on Tue 7 Oct 1:09PM

  3. dilla cant you read?

    "The 20-year-old is thought to have picked up a knock, as has Lennon"

    From DannyH, on Tue 7 Oct 8:23AM

  4. why is it so hard for the young pros to accept that they have to represent the U-21 team? i know they deserve better treatment for their outstanding displays but Capello can only bring with him so many players. the U-21 is an important tournament, too. and it they'd still be wearing the England shirts! if Richards thinks that he is bigger than the U-21 team, then he's not a bright enough lad. nuff said.

    From dila, on Tue 7 Oct 2:09AM

  5. u guys can say anything u want... at the end of the day... man utd is the best!! hehehe

    From G.G, on Tue 7 Oct 1:43AM

  6. Dustin Sceerer you are obviously a blues fan or just a complete moron who knows nothing about football. We at villa are going places with martin o'neill look at the talent coming through ALL ENGLISH youth (Agbonlahor, young, gardner, milner), in the under 21's and senior squad.

    From veryluckytez, on Mon 6 Oct 9:31PM

  7. Aston Villa blows...

    From dustin, on Mon 6 Oct 8:32PM

  8. Agbonlahor and Young for senior team !!

    From Mohammed, on Mon 6 Oct 7:24PM
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