Capello rounds on Redknapp as King row rumbles on

Fabio Capello suggested Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was guilty of double standards after failing to be as critical of Alan Hutton’s inclusion in the Scotland squad as he was about Ledley King’s call-up for England duty.

Spurs centre-back King was withdrawn on Tuesday from England’s squad for Saturday’s friendly international against Slovakia and next week’s World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.

The 28-year-old Spurs captain does not train with his club between matches because of a chronic knee condition and so was a surprise inclusion in England manager Capello’s 24-man squad.

“It’s pointless. If he plays against Ukraine there is no way he can play on Saturday against Blackburn,” Redknapp said before King’s withdrawal.

However, Scotland manager George Burley has called up Hutton even though the full-back hasn’t played a first-team match for several months because of a foot injury and only recently made his comeback in a reserve fixture.

Hutton is not expected to feature in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier away to the Netherlands but could play against Iceland on Wednesday.

“We followed Ledley King for the last four or five games,” Capello told reporters here on Friday. “He played very well in all the games.

“We put him in the squad. When he was here the England medical staff checked him and the first day the knee was not good,” the Italian added.

“We waited one day to understand and check the knee again. It was the same. After this we decided he can go back home.

“But I have to say something. Mr Redknapp spoke about the England national team. But (Alan) Hutton, the Scottish player, after two months of injury, is in the Scotland squad.

“I don’t understand why he spoke about Ledley King and not about Hutton. Only this. They are different problems for him.

“He (King) played the last game. He was not injured. He played. Now I am happy because I spoke with the player.”

Redknapp, speaking before Hutton played 71 minutes of Monday’s reserve match against West Brom, said: “I spoke to George Burley and he said he definitely wouldn’t play him against Holland. It’s too quick.”

Hutton has repeatedly insisted he is ready for the rigours of international football but Redknapp said: “He has not played a game yet, so I don’t know you can work that out.”

Few question Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney’s suitability for England in terms of fitness and talent. But his temper, which led him into the kind of disciplinary trouble which saw him sent-off against Fulham last weekend remains an issue.

“He is young and sometimes his reactions are not so good, but he’s a good player and man,” Capello said on Friday.

“I spoke to him and sometimes we need to be a little bit aggressive. With him, I hope the level of the aggression will be balanced. Just aggressive, not too much.”