ENGLAND manager Fabio Capello suffered another embarassment after Wes Brown announced his retirement from international football after being named in the squad for the friendly against Hungary
Manchester United defender Brown, 30, becomes the second player to quit the England scene within 24 hours of the naming of first squad after the World Cup, following Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
Robinson said he would not play for England if he was only to be “third or fourth choice”.
While Brown’s reasons are unclear, it has been reported that he made the decision on account of the series of injuries that have disrupted his career.
The FA confirmed Brown visited England’s team hotel in Watford and told manager Fabio Capello he no longer wished to be involved.
“Wes Brown has this evening announced his retirement from international football,” read a statement from the FA. “He came to the England team hotel this evening to meet with and tell Fabio Capello in person.”
The news brings to an end a 23-cap career which began against Hungary in 1999.
Injury continually prevented Brown from showing his best form for his country, although he was part of the 2002 World Cup squad in Japan and South Korea, but did not actually play a game.
The 30-year-old started in Capello’s first two games in charge against Switzerland and France, but injury took hold once more before the Italian masterminded England’s passage to this summer’s Finals in South Africa.
More problems meant Brown did not figure in Capello’s 30-man provisional squad or the final 23, the right-back role going instead to Glen Johnson, with Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher controversially called up as back up. (Eurosport)