Scholes open to England recall

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is open to discussing coming out of international retirement with new England boss Roy Hodgson, according to The Guardian.

Scholes came out of retirement in January to help the Old Trafford club attempt to retain their Premier League title.

He was unable to stop the Red Devils’ local rivals Manchester City from snatching their crown, but he has been an essential part of the success Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have had in the league.

The report suggests that the success of his comeback, United lost just once in the league when Scholes played, have led him to be open-minded if he were approached by Hodgson about ending his international retirement.

Scholes initially announced his retirement in 2004 while playing under Sven Goran-Eriksson and refused a last-minute appeal from Fabio Capello before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

However, the report claims that his refusal was partly down to the timing of the call and the fact that Capello himself did not make the call, but the Italian’s assistant Franco Baldini contacted him.

With the long-term injury to Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere ruling him out of the summer showpiece in Poland and Ukraine, there have been worries that the England squad does not possess a player who can keep the ball effectively.

Scholes' decision to reverse his retirement was vindicated by some impressive performances and many feel he could still contribute effectively at international level.