England captain John Terry begs Jamie Carragher to make an international comeback
by NEIL ASHTON in Almaty
Last updated at 9:56 PM on 05th June 2009
John Terry has urged Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to reconsider his decision to retire from international football and make himself available for next summer's World Cup.
There are fears that Terry and his experienced defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, who have played together just five times under the new management, will struggle with their fitness before next summer's finals.
Terry said: 'Going into the World Cup it would be great if he did come back and then it would make competition even more difficult for all of us.
'We all understood his frustration but we'd all like him to come out of retirement. It's down to him to make that decision, only he can do that.
'We've still got Matt Upson, who everyone's speaking highly of and he's had a very good year. Joleon Lescott's done very well again and Gary Cahill has come into the squad. It's down to Carra to come out and make a statement, really.'
Carragher, 31, last played for England in 2007 after winning 34 caps for his country.
He controversially quit England during Steve McClaren's short spell as the national coach and Fabio Capello failed to convince the central defender to make himself available for selection again.
Terry added: 'This is the first season for about five, six or seven years that Rio's picked up this many injuries and missed so many games.
'After the two years I had previously with injuries, I've had a great year. As we get a bit older, you need to do those extra bits of work as well to make sure we stay fit.
'It's difficult as a centre-half as well as you throw yourself into a lot more situations where you can pick up injuries. It's taken its toll as well, over the years.
'If you're a midfielder or a striker, you maybe don't need to put your body on the line as much, throwing yourself in front of someone's foot.
'You take so many knocks over the course of a year, you try and shrug it off.
'But, as a centre-half in this country dealing with so many different types of strikers and different situations, you have to put your body on the line.'
by NEIL ASHTON in Almaty
Last updated at 9:56 PM on 05th June 2009
John Terry has urged Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to reconsider his decision to retire from international football and make himself available for next summer's World Cup.
There are fears that Terry and his experienced defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, who have played together just five times under the new management, will struggle with their fitness before next summer's finals.
Terry said: 'Going into the World Cup it would be great if he did come back and then it would make competition even more difficult for all of us.
'We all understood his frustration but we'd all like him to come out of retirement. It's down to him to make that decision, only he can do that.
'We've still got Matt Upson, who everyone's speaking highly of and he's had a very good year. Joleon Lescott's done very well again and Gary Cahill has come into the squad. It's down to Carra to come out and make a statement, really.'
Carragher, 31, last played for England in 2007 after winning 34 caps for his country.
He controversially quit England during Steve McClaren's short spell as the national coach and Fabio Capello failed to convince the central defender to make himself available for selection again.
Terry added: 'This is the first season for about five, six or seven years that Rio's picked up this many injuries and missed so many games.
'After the two years I had previously with injuries, I've had a great year. As we get a bit older, you need to do those extra bits of work as well to make sure we stay fit.
'It's difficult as a centre-half as well as you throw yourself into a lot more situations where you can pick up injuries. It's taken its toll as well, over the years.
'If you're a midfielder or a striker, you maybe don't need to put your body on the line as much, throwing yourself in front of someone's foot.
'You take so many knocks over the course of a year, you try and shrug it off.
'But, as a centre-half in this country dealing with so many different types of strikers and different situations, you have to put your body on the line.'
