Downing upset by England omission
Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing was upset at being dropped by England for their 2-0 defeat by Croatia and feels he was unfairly singled out.
England boss Steve McClaren left Downing out of the Euro 2008 qualifier on 11 October after he played in the draw with Macedonia four days earlier.
Downing, 22, who played under McClaren at Boro, told the News of the World: \"I told the manager I wasn't happy.
\"I explained that if I was to be dropped, other players should be too.\"
Downing added: \"I knew we were going to get criticism after the Macedonia game because we didn't win.
\"But I thought it was a bit harsh when only two players were singled out - Wayne Rooney and myself.
\"It's a team game and, for me, Ledley King was the only player who stood out.
\"That was why I was disappointed when I was left out for Croatia.\"
\"I know I shouldn't worry about other players but it's all for one and one for all. If one is dropped then the rest should be.
\"Steve said he was changing the system - but I'd already played in that system for Middlesbrough in Europe.
\"He agreed and said 'I know you were effective during the UEFA Cup'.
\"I told him I accepted his decision because he's the manager. In the end you have to get on with it and respect him.
\"But at the end of the day I'm disappointed and I'll prove him wrong.\"
Downing said he was surprised when assistant manager Terry Venables claimed his omission was down to the Boro man being affected by criticism from the England fans.
\"That wasn't the explanation I was told,\" added Downing. \"The explanation was for tactical reasons. But by then the damage had already been done because I'd been criticised.
\"The manager has since said to me I will still be involved but we'll wait and see.
\"I feel like this was a missed opportunity.\"
Downing plays down England report
Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing has said newspaper reports that suggested he had criticised England boss Steve McClaren were taken out of context.
The winger was quoted in Sunday's papers saying he felt he was singled out when he was dropped for October's Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia.
\"I do not deny that quotes attributed to me were accurate,\" said Downing, 22.
\"But I was disappointed by the way what I said was sensationalised and taken out of context.\"
Downing came to prominence with a series of impressive displays under McClaren while playing for Middlesbrough.
He was included in former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad and came off the bench in three of the matches in the tournament.
He was in the starting line-up for McClaren's first game in charge for the friendly against Greece in August because Joe Cole was injured and Downing stayed in the side until he was omitted for the 2-0 defeat in Zagreb.
Downing added: \"I would like to make it clear that in no way did I intend to criticise Steve McClaren or offend any of my England team-mates.
\"The truth is that I was disappointed to be left out of the team for the game in Croatia, but I am determined to bounce back and claim a regular place in the national side.\"
