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Wilshere in English players row

England midfielder Jack Wilshere has insisted only English people should be able to play for the national team. His comments came after England boss Roy Hodgson admitted he was keeping an eye on Manchester United's new teen sensation Adnan Januzaj.

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Hodgson: Wilshere's comments 'misunderstood'

England manager Roy Hodgson has defended Jack Wilshere's comments that "only English people" should play for the national team, saying that the Arsenal midfielder was "misunderstood."

England manager Roy Hodgson has defended Jack Wilshere. Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire

He said: "First of all I think his comments, if not misunderstood, were translated in a way people wanted to translate them.

"People are always complaining that players don't have an opinion or that they say nothing worth listening to, so I don't think it's quite right to criticise someone for having an opinion.

"The subject matter is worthy of debate and, at the end of the day, it will be a policy decision taken by the FA.

"From my point of view, it hasn't affected Jack. I think he just shrugs it off."

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