Rio Ferdinand appears to have brought down the curtain on his England career.

Patrice Evra has admitted the pressure he was under prior to his non-handshake with Luis Suarez was the greatest he had ever felt in his life.

For a man who must have felt these last few days like someone turning out his pockets in the hope of finding a little loose change, England manager Roy Hodgson put on a brave face yesterday. Better still, he gave the distinct impression that he was in charge of both himself and a European Championship squad which, frankly, looks barely competitive.

When he was storming about on behalf of Leeds United and Manchester City, and 19 times for England, Danny Mills was not easy to mark down automatically as a potential football statesman. Whatever his other virtues, cool logic never announced itself uppermost.

Danny Mills has tackled the culture of an England dressing room high on egos

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Rio Ferdinand for Euro 2012 selection.

The sports world has been underwhelmed by the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the new manager of the England football squad. Those who predicted that Tottenham's Harry Redknapp was a shoo-in have turned their embarrassment to indignation.

The England caretaker manager, Stuart Pearce, is preparing for the possibility he may be in charge of the national team for Euro 2012 and is speaking to Premier League managers about the fitness and form of players who are up for selection.

The England caretaker manager, Stuart Pearce, is preparing for the possibility he may well be in charge of the national team for Euro 2012 this summer and is speaking to Premier League managers about the fitness and form of players who are up for selection.

Athletic Bilbao 2 Manchester United 1 (Athletic Bilbao win 5-3 on aggregate)

Chelsea 3 Manchester United 3

Rio Ferdinand has ruled himself out of the running to be named as John Terry's replacement as England captain.

City claim United striker influenced referee, but Ferguson says tackle was dangerous

Fifa president apologises for 'unfortunate words' but critics in England maintain he should go