The Outcasts

Hodgson made a few controversial decisions in picking his 23 for the European Championships, choosing to leave out some key players in favour of some others who many felt didn’t deserve their place in the side. There are some who missed out, and will probably consider themselves unlucky to not make the plane to Ukraine in the summer. Alongside the ones who were not picked, there were also some others who have been unlucky with injury, and consequently have been ruled out of the upcoming tournament in the Ukraine/Poland. The players I feel are unlucky to have missed out either from injury or not picked are listed below.

Not picked - NP
Injury - I

Micah Richards - NP (right)

the mystery surrounds Micah Richards and his continous
exclusion

I am baffled why every England manager overlooks this colossal right back!? Richards is undoubtedly the best Right back in England, in both attack and defence, eclipsing rivals such as Walker and Johnson in many departments. The only reason I can think of for his exclusion is the fact that he hasn’t always been a regular in the Manchester City team this season, but that cannot be the reason. I for one would've loved to see Richards marauding runs down the right flank in the Ukraine, and him missing out is a huge miss for England.

Rio Ferdinand - NP

At the age of 33 and his recent injuries restricting his participation, he was always going to be doubtful. In addition to this, his rocky relationship with John Terry following on from the racism row with his brother also made him a doubt to make the plane. Therefore it doesn't come as too much of a surprise that he wasn't picked, but if he were then England would certainly have benefited from his defensive capabilities and his experience at a world stage.

Kyle Walker - I (right)

Kyle Walker misses the Championships with a toe injury

In his breakthrough season, Walker has been an extremely valuable asset for Tottenham this season. His electrifying pace down the right is enough to scare any opposition, and he has recently been linked with a move away to Barcelona, further outlining his quality. Although he is slightly fragile in defence, his attacking prowess is world class and would certainly have benefited England in an attacking sense. His injury is a blow for England, who surely would've been in the starting XI if he were injury free. However, time is on his side, and I am certain that we will see him in an England shirt again very soon.

Paul Scholes - NP
He is the pass master. It's as simple as that. Since his comeback from retirement he has been a revelation, transforming Manchester United's season in a positive way and is the main reason why they were competing for the title towards the end of the season. Perhaps too old to make an International comeback, but he definitely would've added more quality to the England midfield if he wasn't overlooked.

Adam Johnson - NP (right)

Adam Johnson was only on the standby list

For me, when he plays, he is an extremely tricky player. His technique is second to none, and he scares defenders when he is running at them. Sadly, he hasn't featured so much in a highly successful season for City; instead having to settle for a place on the bench for much of the season. Either that or he has had to make do with a cameo appearance from the bench, and consequently given little time to impress. Nevertheless, when he has played he has shown his outstanding quality, and in my opinion should be on the plane to the Ukraine.

Daniel Sturridge - NP
He started the season in scintillating form, and was one of few bright sparks in Chelsea's a dark spell of 6 months under the guidance of Andre Villas-Boas. However his form has since declined, and under Di Matteo has found himself on the bench for most of his reign. However, his versatility in the fact that he can play both on the wing and in the centre would've been vital, seeing as in my opinion, the England squad is lacking quality and depth in both departments.

Darren Bent - I (right)

Darren Bent misses out on another major tournament

Possibly the most unlucky of all those that missed out, considering he was first choice striker prior to his injury. Despite earning only 13 caps in his 6 year International career, he had established himself as a regular under Fabio Capello and he would've provided England with guaranteed goals. Although he has only scored 9 goals in the league prior to his injury, he was playing for a poor Aston Villa side, and was still second top England goal scorer in the Premier League at the time - behind Wayne Rooney. The England team will miss his presence, and he will have to be replaced with a goal scorer if England are going to do well in the Ukraine in June.

My 23 (those available)
Hart, Green, Stockdale, G Johnson, Richards, Jones, Ferdinand, Terry, Cahill, Lescott, Baines, Cole, Parker, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard, Oxlade-Chamberlain, A Johnson, Young, Rooney, Crouch, Welbeck, Sturridge

In: Stockdale, Richards, Ferdinand, Scholes, A Johnson, Sturridge, Crouch
Out: Ruddy, Downing, Milner, Barry, Walcott, Carroll, Defoe