Ferguson queries need for England friendly

LONDON (AFP) –

Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson pictured during a press conference in Braga, Portugal, on November 6, 2012. Ferguson has called into question the need for England to play a friendly game in Sweden next week.

Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson has called into question the need for England to play a friendly game in Sweden next week.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already expressed concern about England coach Roy Hodgson’s decision to call up Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere, who only recently returned from a 17-month injury lay-off.

Ferguson, who has four players in the England squad, says he can sympathise with the Frenchman.

“Friendly games at this time of year don’t mean a thing to me,” he said.

“It won’t be a full squad anyway because players will drop out. I can understand where Arsene is coming from with that (Wilshere complaint).

“When you are out for a long period and play your first game, the adrenaline helps you.

“But there is a physical reaction a few days later. You never know after someone has been out for so long.”

Wilshere himself has admitted that his international recall may have arrived “too soon”, ahead of a match being held to inaugurate the new Swedish national football stadium in Stockholm.