Stuart Pearce has insisted he will never accept tiredness as an excuse from his England side ahead of their European Under-21 Championship opener against Spain.

England have pretty much reached breaking point. This is the latest excruciating evidence that their international decline may not have hit rock bottom

After half-time boos Capello reverses mysterious decision to omit Villa man

Manchester United's Michael Carrick has pulled out of the England squad for Saturday's 2012 European Championship qualifier with Switzerland due to injury.

Arsenal midfielder also believes players need harder edge and should pressurise referees more

'The Independent' football team hand out the gongs at the end of another fascinating and exciting campaign

The domestic season is almost over but there is much football to be played – too much of it for many club managers. As well as the final European Championship game of the season against Switzerland on Saturday, England teams are preparing for the European Under-21 and Under-19 tournaments and the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico. Their respective coaches are having to come to terms with seemingly inevitable withdrawals.

The Arsenal midfielder knows from experience how to beat Barça. He tells Sam Wallace how to go about it

England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce today confirmed that Manchester City defender Micah Richards has withdrawn from the England squad ahead of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark.

Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson will have no qualms about putting his body to the test during England's European Under-21 Championship campaign this summer.

Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll were today controversially omitted from the England squad for next month's European Under-21 Championship finals.

Arsenal have raised the stakes in their campaign to persuade the Football Association not to take Jack Wilshere to the Under-21s European Championships next month by disclosing playing-time statistics that they believe make him a severe injury risk.

Arsenal manager warns of 'double standards' in England selections for Under-21 championship

Andy Carroll's participation at next month's European Under-21 Championship was shrouded in mystery today after Stuart Pearce delayed announcing his squad until next week.