Reo-Coker out of England squad

Nigel Reo-Coker has withdrawn from England’s World Cup squad and will be replaced by Phil Neville.

Uncapped West Ham skipper Reo-Coker was on standby for England but has been troubled by a persistent back problem.

He was forced out of training on Monday and it was decided afterwards that he should pull out of the squad.

Everton utility man Neville will report to the England training base in Hertfordshire on Tuesday.

He will join Scott Carson, Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe and Andrew Johnson on the standby list in case any of the main squad are injured before England’s first game against Paraguay on June 10.

Crystal Palace striker Johnson, who missed training on Monday, will rejoin the squad on Tuesday.