Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing admits Fabio Capello's decision to axe from the England squad without an explanation was hard to take.The 23-year-old was named in the initial party for Capello's first game, the friendly against Switzerland last month.

However, when the Italian whittled his squad down to 23, Downing was one of those who missed out, and the fact he was not told why still hurts.

Asked what Capello said to him after leaving him out of his squad, Downing told Setanta: "Nothing.

"That was probably the disappointing thing, being left out.

"Any excuse he had given me, I would have taken on the chin and moved on, but to be left out when I have been in the squad for two years with no explanation, it is hard to take, a little bit.

"I have said before there's no point in moaning about it, the only thing I can do is keep playing well and make him not leave me out."

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