Carragher back on board but Scholes stays at home

England coach Fabio Capello has confirmed Paul Scholes declined an 11th hour invitationm to be part of his World Cup plans.

Capello unveiled his 30-man provisional squad yesterday, which includes Jamie Carragher, who he successfully managed to talk out of retirement ahead of this summer's tournament in South Africa.

But the Italian's hopes of persuading Scholes to do likewise foundered.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Manchester United midfielder quit the international scene after Euro 2004, sick of being played out of position by Sven Goran Eriksson.

The 35-year-old has never given the impression of missing England duty, which took him away from his family for far too long for his liking.

Although Capello had one last attempt to try to bring him into the Three Lions' fold once more, the answer was unequivocal.

"I tried. It was up to him. He said no," said Capello.

"We have been monitoring him for the second part of the season and he has played very well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We tried to convince him to come back for England because he is one of the best players. But he preferred to stay with his family."

It was an answer Sir Alex Ferguson predicted any request from Capello would receive and is a blow, especially as fellow veteran David Beckham has been ruled out with a ruptured Achilles.

Thankfully for Capello, he had more luck with Carragher, who gave a positive reaction when he was first approached two months ago, and then confirmed his intentions over the past fortnight when it became clear Liverpool were not going to qualify for the Champions League.

"The World Cup and the Champions League are the highest levels of football," said Carragher.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I am not getting any younger, we have no Champions League next season and I am keen to work under Fabio Capello."

Once a decision had been taken to select Gareth Barry, even though Capello will not discover until May 24 whether the Manchester City star has any chance of making the trip to South Africa, the rest of Capello's squad slotted easily into place.

As with Scholes, Bobby Zamora was also offered the opportunity to make the 30-man provisional party that will undertake two training camps in Austria and play a couple of friendlies against Mexico, at Wembley on May 24, and Japan, in Graz on May 30.

However, the uncapped Fulham striker made the bold decision to say no, aware the Achilles complaint that is likely to require an operation this summer, would prevent him from doing himself justice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Discussions also took place with Owen Hargreaves, but after just one minute of senior action for Manchester United since October 2008, Capello wisely rejected the idea.

It left a further decision to be made about Ledley King, whose chronic knee condition prevents him from training and, according to his club manager at Tottenham, Harry Redknapp, restricts him to one game every six days.

Yet King managed to get through Tottenham's last four games in the space of 15 hectic days, enough for Capello to take a chance, a decision that was made easier by the defender's own positive assessment.

"Ledley King is one of the best England defenders," reflected Capello.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He played four games in the last 15 days and said there were no problem with the knee. This season he has suffered some problems with his muscles but not the knee. He said his knee was getting better.

"For this reason he will come with us to Austria."

King will be accompanied by Spurs team-mate Michael Dawson, along with Manchester City's Adam Johnson, the only uncapped members of Capello's squad, which has to be whittled down to 23 before the FIFA deadline on June 1.

ENGLAND'S 30-MAN SQUAD

Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup finals squad:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.