England omission a joint decision – Zamora

(GSM) – Fulham striker Bobby Zamora claims he turned down the chance to join England’s preliminary 30-man World Cup squad. Zamora was having nothing short of a fantastic season before suffering an Achilles injury last month.

And since he does not feel he will be fully-fit come the World Cup, Zamora chose to be left out in what was a joint decision between the striker, England manager Fabio Capello and the England and Fulham medical teams.

“I told Fabio that I was struggling and I knew that, had I gone, I wouldn’t have done myself or England justice,” he said.

“It was a joint decision made by myself, Capello, our medical team and England’s medical team.

“The World Cup’s a massive tournament. It’s not about myself, it’s about England.

“Capello wished me all the best, hoped that I get fit and would be available next season. You could see last night (Wednesday) I was struggling to play.

“It’s (the injury) one of those things, it’s come at a bad time and the last five weeks have been terrible for me.

“It’s been an up and down season because it’s been so good on the pitch and I’ve scored some important goals. To now pick up this injury has kicked me in the teeth.

“It’s come during the last couple of weeks and when there was the possibility of going to the World Cup with England.