England defender Gary Cahill has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a double fracture of his jaw after being smashed in the mush by some naughty Belgian. Liverpool's Martin Kelly has been called up as his replacement, the Football Association have confirmed. England concluded their preparations for Euro 2012 with a win over Belgium that gave new manager Roy Hodgson his second successive victory since taking charge. The Scum striker Danny Welbeck stated his case for inclusion in England's opening game against France in Donetsk with a cleverly taken first-half goal after fine work from club-mate Ashley Young. As in the 1-0 win against Norway in Oslo, this was an England performance built on the foundations of solid defence and tactical discipline. Hodgson's approach may not illuminate proceedings in Poland and Ukraine but early evidence suggests they will be tough to break down. Belgium, with Moscow Chelski-bound Eden Hazard and a host of Premier League talent in their line-up, dominated territory for long spells but once again England demonstrated admirable resolve to ensure they leave for their Krakow base this week with another win to accompany them. If there is a concern, it was the amount of possession England were prepared to concede to Belgium. Against a better side (say, France) they might have been punished for such sloppiness. 
The visitors were unable to take advantage but Hodgson will know his side must beware against superior opposition carrying a greater threat in front of goal. And this friendly was not without its injury worries, with defender Cahill substituted early on after a nasty, needless push by Dries Mertens that caused him to collide with goalkeeper Joe Hart and putting the ex-Notlob centre back out of his first major international tournament. Moscow Chelski team-mate John Terry was also left needing a scan after going off with a hamstring injury. Welbeck, in particular, will be happy with his work. Hodgson must now consider whether to promote him above Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws' Andy Carroll as Young's strike partner against France. Belgium did provide an anxious moment late on when Guillaume Gillet hit the post, but substitute Jermain Defoe also had a similar near miss for England. Hodgson, however, will be satisfied with another opportunity to see more of his squad play before the serious action starts, their number including Wayne Rooney, who came on as a second-half substitute even though he will miss the first two games of Euro 2012 through suspension. As Hodgson continues to formulate his plans, he handed a first England start to The Arse teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the youngster showed no sign of nerves as he was prominent early on. Belgium had seen more of the ball than England but it was Hodgson's side that made the breakthrough after thirty six minutes with a goal that was a delight in its creation and conclusion. Young's measured pass found Welbeck, who waited for keeper Simon Mignolet to make his move before scoring with a deft, lofted finish. Hodgson was clearly keen to give Rooney some game time so he was introduced as a substitute for Welbeck after fifty three minutes, his first action since The Scum's final game of the Premier League season at Sunderland on 13 May.
John Barnes and David Pleat have both supported Roy Hodgson's decision not to call up Rio Ferdinand to England's Euro 2012 squad. Ferdinand's 'representative', Jamie Moralee, whoever the hell he is, reportedly accused the England manager of showing Ferdinand 'a lack of respect.' But Pleat has described Moralee as 'out of order' for his comments. 'Everyone's international career comes to an end, it's not a question of being disrespectful in leaving someone out,' added Barnes. 'I had seventy nine caps and I was left out because my time was over. You have to back the manager.' Ferdinand, who has eighty one caps for England, was left out of the original squad before being overlooked again when
Gary Cahill was ruled out of the tournament through injury on Sunday. Liverpool defender Martin Kelly was preferred to the thirty three-year-old who last played for his country in June 2011. Pleat, who managed both Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday, badly, is also backing the new England boss. 'I think the agent of Ferdinand is really out of order,' Pleat told BBC 5Live. 'I think agents of other players could equally make a case from time to time. Micah Richards evidently has had a very good season and he's been shunned, so to speak. Nobody has a divine right to play in the side, I think some of the headlines are very dramatic. Yes Ferdinand is thirty three, he's played around thirty games or so this season, and he has done well since January, but Hodgson's] got a natural attacker of the ball in John Terry. I think it's for footballing reasons and Roy has got four players now who can cover at centre-back. I think a right footer and a left footer in Terry and Lescott is a decent combination.'
Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws striker Craig Bellamy says he has been included in the Team GB squad for the Olympics. Coach Stuart Pearce is allowed to name three players over the age of twenty three in his eighteen-man squad - and Wales international Bellamy, thirty two, has been widely quoted as claiming that he has been included.
'I am in the Olympic squad but I was supposed to keep it quiet,' he said. Yeah, that might've been an idea. 'It's a different challenge. I had a difficult season with Liverpool but the Olympics is a one-off.' Pearce is expected to name his squad for the games later in June. Former England captain David Beckham has made no secret of his desire to be included and The Scum will allow former Wales skipper Ryan Giggs to feature. Miss Josephine Cole, Scotland striker Steven Fletcher and Northern Ireland midfielder Chris Brunt have also been touted as potential over-age players. Team GB's first fixture is against Senegal at Old Trafford on 29 July.
And, speaking of hugely annoying mouthy tanner-ball players, Joey Barton has been punched in the face outside a nightclub in Liverpool. Police have seemingly narrowed down a list of suspects. To everyone. Merseyside Police said that officers were called to Eberle Street at about 5:30am following reports of a disturbance outside the Garlands club.
They confirmed that a twenty nine-year-old man who had been injured left the scene voluntarily. Two twenty one-year-olds from the Old Swan area of the city are being held on suspicion of a public order offence and are currently in police custody. Barton later tweeted: 'I got sucker punched in the back of the head. Not injured as reported just a small bruise on rear of head/ear. I've had worse. Life goes on! Thanks for the concern.' Later he added: 'Not planning on pressing charges as it's not that serious. The police have also got better things to do with their time. Can I just say a public thanks to the police last night as they were and have been today brilliant.' A picture of the incident, apparently showing a shirtless Barton being held back by police and a woman, appeared on the site earlier. In a statement, QPR spokesman Ian Taylor said: 'Barton was on his way home from a night out with his girlfriend when two men sang offensive chants and then proceeded to hit the QPR midfielder.' Barton was banned for twelve matches after being sent off in Queens Park Strangers' defeat at Sheikh Yer Man City on the final day of the season. The Football Association found him guilty of two counts of violent conduct. And, 'being a nutter.'
The visitors were unable to take advantage but Hodgson will know his side must beware against superior opposition carrying a greater threat in front of goal. And this friendly was not without its injury worries, with defender Cahill substituted early on after a nasty, needless push by Dries Mertens that caused him to collide with goalkeeper Joe Hart and putting the ex-Notlob centre back out of his first major international tournament. Moscow Chelski team-mate John Terry was also left needing a scan after going off with a hamstring injury. Welbeck, in particular, will be happy with his work. Hodgson must now consider whether to promote him above Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws' Andy Carroll as Young's strike partner against France. Belgium did provide an anxious moment late on when Guillaume Gillet hit the post, but substitute Jermain Defoe also had a similar near miss for England. Hodgson, however, will be satisfied with another opportunity to see more of his squad play before the serious action starts, their number including Wayne Rooney, who came on as a second-half substitute even though he will miss the first two games of Euro 2012 through suspension. As Hodgson continues to formulate his plans, he handed a first England start to The Arse teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the youngster showed no sign of nerves as he was prominent early on. Belgium had seen more of the ball than England but it was Hodgson's side that made the breakthrough after thirty six minutes with a goal that was a delight in its creation and conclusion. Young's measured pass found Welbeck, who waited for keeper Simon Mignolet to make his move before scoring with a deft, lofted finish. Hodgson was clearly keen to give Rooney some game time so he was introduced as a substitute for Welbeck after fifty three minutes, his first action since The Scum's final game of the Premier League season at Sunderland on 13 May.John Barnes and David Pleat have both supported Roy Hodgson's decision not to call up Rio Ferdinand to England's Euro 2012 squad. Ferdinand's 'representative', Jamie Moralee, whoever the hell he is, reportedly accused the England manager of showing Ferdinand 'a lack of respect.' But Pleat has described Moralee as 'out of order' for his comments. 'Everyone's international career comes to an end, it's not a question of being disrespectful in leaving someone out,' added Barnes. 'I had seventy nine caps and I was left out because my time was over. You have to back the manager.' Ferdinand, who has eighty one caps for England, was left out of the original squad before being overlooked again when
Gary Cahill was ruled out of the tournament through injury on Sunday. Liverpool defender Martin Kelly was preferred to the thirty three-year-old who last played for his country in June 2011. Pleat, who managed both Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday, badly, is also backing the new England boss. 'I think the agent of Ferdinand is really out of order,' Pleat told BBC 5Live. 'I think agents of other players could equally make a case from time to time. Micah Richards evidently has had a very good season and he's been shunned, so to speak. Nobody has a divine right to play in the side, I think some of the headlines are very dramatic. Yes Ferdinand is thirty three, he's played around thirty games or so this season, and he has done well since January, but Hodgson's] got a natural attacker of the ball in John Terry. I think it's for footballing reasons and Roy has got four players now who can cover at centre-back. I think a right footer and a left footer in Terry and Lescott is a decent combination.'Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws striker Craig Bellamy says he has been included in the Team GB squad for the Olympics. Coach Stuart Pearce is allowed to name three players over the age of twenty three in his eighteen-man squad - and Wales international Bellamy, thirty two, has been widely quoted as claiming that he has been included.
'I am in the Olympic squad but I was supposed to keep it quiet,' he said. Yeah, that might've been an idea. 'It's a different challenge. I had a difficult season with Liverpool but the Olympics is a one-off.' Pearce is expected to name his squad for the games later in June. Former England captain David Beckham has made no secret of his desire to be included and The Scum will allow former Wales skipper Ryan Giggs to feature. Miss Josephine Cole, Scotland striker Steven Fletcher and Northern Ireland midfielder Chris Brunt have also been touted as potential over-age players. Team GB's first fixture is against Senegal at Old Trafford on 29 July.And, speaking of hugely annoying mouthy tanner-ball players, Joey Barton has been punched in the face outside a nightclub in Liverpool. Police have seemingly narrowed down a list of suspects. To everyone. Merseyside Police said that officers were called to Eberle Street at about 5:30am following reports of a disturbance outside the Garlands club.
They confirmed that a twenty nine-year-old man who had been injured left the scene voluntarily. Two twenty one-year-olds from the Old Swan area of the city are being held on suspicion of a public order offence and are currently in police custody. Barton later tweeted: 'I got sucker punched in the back of the head. Not injured as reported just a small bruise on rear of head/ear. I've had worse. Life goes on! Thanks for the concern.' Later he added: 'Not planning on pressing charges as it's not that serious. The police have also got better things to do with their time. Can I just say a public thanks to the police last night as they were and have been today brilliant.' A picture of the incident, apparently showing a shirtless Barton being held back by police and a woman, appeared on the site earlier. In a statement, QPR spokesman Ian Taylor said: 'Barton was on his way home from a night out with his girlfriend when two men sang offensive chants and then proceeded to hit the QPR midfielder.' Barton was banned for twelve matches after being sent off in Queens Park Strangers' defeat at Sheikh Yer Man City on the final day of the season. The Football Association found him guilty of two counts of violent conduct. And, 'being a nutter.'
