England's Hodgson to pick Terry for qualifiers

LONDON (AFP) –

English coach Roy Hodgson (R), English midfielder Steven Gerrard (R), English defender Ashley Cole (C), English defender John Terry (L), English midfielder Scott Parker (L) are pictured during a training session in Krakow on June 22, 2012 during Euro 2012. Hodgson confirmed on Friday that he plans to pick Terry for World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

England manager Roy Hodgson confirmed on Friday that he plans to pick John Terry for his team’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine even though the Chelsea defender faces disciplinary action for racial abuse.

Terry is due at an FA independent disciplinary hearing over charges he used a racist slur against QPR star Ferdinand, an allegation he denies and was cleared of by a London court in a criminal case last month.

The controversy prompted the FA to insist Terry be stripped of the England captaincy before Euro 2012, while then manager Fabio Capello resigned in protest at the decision.

Chelsea defender Terry was selected by Hodgson for the Euros but he was rested, along with several other senior players, for last week’s friendly win over Italy.

However, Hodgson will recall Terry when he names his squad for the September 7 away game in Moldova on Thursday and home clash against Ukraine four days later.

“As far as I know, I can select him at the moment, and I will be selecting him,” Hodgson said.

“I don’t really have any comment about the rest of it. Time will take it’s toll. I just know I can select him.”