Shawcross unfazed by England snub

Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross is eager to add to his single cap, but is not allowing the recent snub by England manager Roy Hodgson to affect him.

The centre-back made his solitary appearance for the three lions, coming on as a substitute in the 4-2 defeat to Sweden. A game remembered by Zlatan Ibrahimović’s terrific individual performance in which he tormented the English defence by scoring all four goals including an outrageous overhead kick.

Shawcross has not been called up since that night in Stockholm and has been overlooked for England’s most recent squad despite a number of fellow defenders being unavailable.

Shawcross said, “It’s up to the manager to pick me and if he doesn’t I’ve just got to carry on playing well for Stoke. My form over last season and the start to this season, I’m pleased with.”

One player who Roy Hodgson has shown faith in, instead of Shawcross is Arsenal teenager Calum Chambers, who has leapfrogged Shawcross in the England pecking order.

The 19-year-old was promoted from the England Under-21 squad and played in Thursday’s 5-0 win over minnows San Marino at Wembley, after Everton’s John Stones was forced to withdraw through injury.

Shawcross said of Chambers: “He’s a brilliant player who’s got a bright future and the England manager decided he wanted him in his squad and I’ve got no complaints.”

The former Manchester United trainee still has no regrets over picking England, despite qualifying to represent Wales. He added: “I made a decision a couple of years ago to play for England. I’ve got once cap and I want more. If it happens, it happens.”