Former England defender Mills retires

Former Manchester City and England right-back Danny Mills retired from football on Saturday after admitting defeat in his battle to recover from a serious knee injury.

Mills suffered the problem over a year ago and has been told it will not recover sufficiently to allow him to resume his career.

The 32-year-old, who also played for Norwich, Charlton and Leeds, won 19 caps for England and played at the 2002 World Cup.

“Unfortunately I have now got to the situation where I can no longer continue to play,” he told BBC Radio Five Live. “So, really as from today, I’ll be retiring from the professional game and looking to do other things.

“It has been difficult. I was fortunate it wasn’t my decision in the end.

“I’ve been around the world – America, Germany, Sweden, London – I’ve been everywhere trying to get it sorted.

“I’ve been out for 18 months. I’m likely to have another operation in three or four months’ time. Basically the knee just can’t cope with it any more.”