Walker accepts Euro 2012 exclusion

Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker says that new England manager Roy Hodgson was correct not take him to Euro 2012.

The PFA Young Player of the Year limped out of Sunday’s 2-0 win against Fulham and was ruled out of this year’s tournament less than 24 hours before Hodgson was due to announce his 23-man squad.

“Gutted to miss out but going with a broken toe would’ve been no good to anyone…I know the boys will go all the way!” Walker wrote on Twitter.

The 21-year-old was widely regarded as Hodgson’s first-choice right-back, but he left White Hart Lane in a protective boot after suffering from a broken toe.

However, Walker’s omission failed to open the door for Manchester City’s Micah Richards, who was surprisingly overlooked by the former West Brom boss.

Hodgson instead opted for Liverpool’s Glen Johnson and Manchester United youngster Phil Jones.

The England boss told reporters at Wembley on Wednesday: “It was difficult. In Phil Jones we have a player who has done well at right-back. It was one of Jones or Richards.”