Martin Kelly

[Lee]

Ah fair play to the lad.

Seems a bit random though?!

[Alex]

Bit weird. What's the point in calling him up?

[dww]

Clearly seen as a development thing. Also I guess his versatility makes him a better bet than many young players - he could be used in training or whatever all along the backline.

[Cormack74]

Liverpool's Martin Kelly will join the England squad for Saturday's game with Norway. Will return to his club after the game.

Why?

Everyone will be on summer hols wont they?

[Rich]

Why?

Everyone will be on summer hols wont they?

Caretaker at Anfield

[Cormack74]

Caretaker at Anfield

Ah, always wondered who kept an eye on the place until the start of the new season.

[Ben_Itez]

Clearly seen as a development thing. Also I guess his versatility makes him a better bet than many young players - he could be used in training or whatever all along the backline.

I think Hodgson only picked seven defenders in the squad with Phil Jones being backup RB as well as 4th choice CB, thus in training matches there would be a RB short if Jones played CB.

Hence Kelly's call up.

[Liverpel]

Does Roy just not like Richards?!

Good experience for the lad though.

Micah Richards was last night hit with an amazing snub for England's clash with Norway on Saturday after rejecting a Euro 2012 standby slot.

The Premier League-winning right-back has been passed over by Roy Hodgson in favour of rookie Liverpool defender Martin Kelly.

Richards has been left stunned by his treatment after helping his club to win their first title for 44 years.

He was hit with the snub because he declined the chance to go onto Hodgson's standby list for next month's European Championships.

Richards - shortlisted for City's Player of the Year award by fans - was left out of Hodgson's squad favour of Liverpool's Glen Johnson and Manchester United's Phil Jones.

It is understood Richards then asked not to be put on standby because while Hodgson called other stars to tell them they were not in his 23-man party, he did not call the Richards himself.

Roy Hodgson didn't personally call Richards to ask him to go on standby list
Getty
*
The defender's call came from Stuart Pearce - who is no longer even part of the England senior set-up.

Last week Richards issued a dignified statement after his shock omission for Poland and Ukraine.

Speaking through City's official website he said: "Of course my initial reaction is to be gutted but a manager is there to pick a squad and he cannot pick everyone.

"No one will be cheering louder than me for England when the championships start.

"My really good mates from City and other clubs will be playing and of course I want my country to win."

But he is understood to be devastated that his efforts this season have not been recognised with a call-up for Euro2012.
*
Despite Kelly's promise there was widespread disbelief at Richards' treatment last night.

The 22-year old Anfield full-back, capped for England at Under-21 level, will go back to his club after Saturday's game in Oslo.

He has been drafted in while Chelsea's Champions League-winning players enjoy some extra time off.

With England struggling for right-back options with injuries to Tottenham's Kyle Walker and Manchester United's Chris Smalling it is a major blow for Richards who can also play in central defence.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/roy-hodgson-has-picked-martin-kelly-844332

[Exiled_red]

Of course Richards is not going to be called up this summer if he didn't want to be on the standby list, I don't see why the mirror are so shocked by this.

[Nick77]

Of course Richards is not going to be called up this summer if he didn't want to be on the standby list, I don't see why the mirror are so shocked by this.

The shocking thing is he should be in the squad, even ahead of the not so amazing Phil Jones imo. Just because Jones plays for the ****en Mancs who won NOTHING last season, doesn't mean he should be a shoe in for the England squad!
Anyway who cares about England - they'll be lucky to make it passed the quarters & Bodgson will be lucky to last a year.

[Alex]

Just been called up to replace Cahill. 6 of our lads in the squad now

Well done to him. Deserves it

[Gibbo]

**** English players ftw

[Gibbo]

Rio Ferdinand @rioferdy5
What reasons?????!!!

In response to Roy saying Kelly has been picked for footballing reasons.

Manc's are going absolutely Chicken oriental over Kelly being picked, saw one say that Roy has had it now he's pissed off the 'big man' Ferguson.

[red g]

In response to Roy saying Kelly has been picked for footballing reasons.

Manc's are going absolutely Chicken oriental over Kelly being picked, saw one say that Roy has had it now he's pissed off the 'big man' Ferguson.

I thought he did them a favour. leaving them home tbh.

[Fredo]

Don't think it's to our advantage that our players are being picked up for Ingurlund. Mr. Ferguson must be delighted that most of his players are staying put.