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Holt lost hope on England call

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 5 Oct 2012

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Norwich City striker Grant Holt has admitted that he ‘gave up’ on being asked to represent England.

The 31-year-old was the Premier League’s second-highest English goalscorer last season, but was overlooked by Roy Hodgson for a spot at Euro 2012.

Holt has branded his omission from the pre-tournament friendlies against Norway and Belgium as ‘ridiculous’, adding he feels the England manager’s decision to not include players from smaller clubs is unacceptable.

Holt told BBC Radio Norfolk: “I gave up on that. I think I’ll never be in it. Roy’s come in and picking his players.

“When two friendlies came up (against Norway and Belgium) and I wasn’t included it was ridiculous to be honest.

“He hasn’t given anyone opportunities – people like Nathan Dyer and Danny Graham from Swansea didn’t even get a look in, but that’s life.”

Hodgson has called-up uncapped pair Fraser Forster and Ryan Shawcross for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland, but Holt believes his one-time team-mate Rickie Lambert, who already has four goals in the Premier League this season, should have also made the squad.

He continued: “He’s scoring the goals. He’s done well. But I think any neutral looking at that list could have written it down beforehand and not been far off.

“Unless Rickie Lambert scores 25 goals or bags 10 in the next two months I don’t think he’ll get close.”

Holt has one goal this season, the same number he had this time last season, and he reacted sarcastically to questions about his desire and hunger for the game after handing a transfer request at Carrow Road over the summer.

He added: “I’ve signed my three-year deal and I thought I’d leave it this year, sit back, have a few cans and a few cigarettes and chill with the kids.

“It’s a ridiculous question. No I haven’t (lost my hunger).”

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