Brown and Robinson announce retirement

MANCHESTER UNITED defender Wes Brown last night joined Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson in announcing his retirement.

Brown was selected in the England squad to face Hungary on Wednesday, having missed out on the World Cup this summer.

But the FA has confirmed Brown visited England’s team hotel in Watford last night and told manager Fabio Capello he no longer wished to be involved.

The news brings to an end a 23-cap career which began against Hungary in 1999.

The 30-year-old started in Capello’s first two games in charge against Switzerland and France, but injury took hold once more before the Italian masterminded England’s passage to this summer’s finals in South Africa.

More problems meant Brown did not figure in Capello’s 30-man provisional squad or the final 23, the right-back role going instead to Glen Johnson, with Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher controversially called up as back up.

After not being involved in today’s Community Shield victory over Chelsea, presumably Brown felt there was little merit in pursuing an international career while his place at Manchester United is so fragile and therefore took the option he felt was best.

Coming on the same day Robinson also decided to concentrate on club matters at Blackburn, it leaves Capello looking slightly red faced.

The Italian is yet to decide whether to call up replacements for either man, with a clear lack of communication evident with the fringe men he did pick.

Youngsters Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs do represent a statement about England’s future but Capello will need to be sure in his own mind he has enough experience to carry England towards Euro 2012 qualification and the loss of both Brown and Robinson is a setback in that regard.