Parker will be fit for Euros, says Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson is confident Scott Parker will be fit for Euro 2012.

With Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry ruled out of the tournament due to injury, Parker’s Achilles problem, which prevented the midfielder from featuring in Tottenham’s last four games of the season, has also been a concern during Hodgson’s preparations.

But when asked whether he was worried about Parker’s fitness ahead of Euro 2012, Hodgson said: “No, not particularly.

“No more so than the obvious (worry that) we were going to have, (with Parker) not having played for Tottenham in the last three matches in the league. That was obviously going to be a factor.

“Now that we’ve had training he’s taken part in every session, only the first one was maybe slightly less time than a full session, and he’s he played 60 minutes and he’s available to play tomorrow, so he’ll be getting fitter but he day, as will Wayne Rooney, but he time we play France we’ll be in good physical shape.”

Hodgson insisted the Football Association made it clear to him when he was appointed as England boss that Michael Carrick was not available for selection for Euro 2012, but admits he may contact the Manchester United midfielder in the future.

“The contacts with Michael were conducted before I took the job and it was made clear to me that he wasn’t a player who wanted to be considered, so quite frankly he wasn’t a player who did consider (for Euro 2012),” said Hodgson.

“And at the time with all the senior players we had at our disposal, maybe it wasn’t so important. Carrick is a player I’ve always admired, who knows, in the future if these injuries continue, he may have a place, but I’ll have to go and speak to him, although I didn’t think it was appropriate before the championship.”