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Football

31st Mar 2016

Roy Hodgson’s defensive concerns have seen him consider the nuclear option

A last resort

Kevin McGillicuddy

You know things are bad when you’re relying on John Terry to do the decent thing.

The Chelsea captain is set to be cut loose by his boyhood club this summer after almost 20 years service and could yet find a nice semi-retirement in China or the MLS.

The ex-England captain was no doubt looking forward to a relaxing summer with his feet up watching the Euros, as England get knocked out again on penalties in the quarter-finals.

However reports this morning suggest the 35 year old could be pressed into one final glorious finale to his career, as England are lacking a natural left-sided centre-half.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Roy Hodgson is so concerned at his lack of lefties that he is mulling over the possibility of recalling a player who has not featured for his country since 2012.

England have no player who is comfortable playing on the left side of a centre defensive partnership at present, and Hodgson admitted on Tuesday night, after the 2-1 loss to the Netherlands, that he would be open to Terry’s return.

The 35-year-old has had several rows with the FA and was stripped of the captaincy after racism allegations in 2012, which ultimately led to Fabio Capello’s resignation.

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