Neville joins Roy’s Euro 2012 ticket

England manager Roy Hodgson believes Gary Neville will make an invaluable contribution to his coaching team.

Hodgson sprang a major surprise yesterday by confirming Neville’s appointment on a four-year contract. Hodgson wanted someone with relevant playing experience alongside him at Euro 2012, but it was felt Neville’s brother Phil was a more likely candidate, or Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher.

Instead, Hodgson has turned to the elder Neville brother to be his first full-time appointment following the part-time arrivals of Fulham coach Ray Lewington and Birmingham goalkeeping coach Dave Watson.