Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been branded "selfish" for participating in this summer's Euros with England, despite his ongoing injury struggles.
Henderson was an unused substitute in England's 1-0 friendly win in Austria with Gareth Southgate explaining that the midfielder had a scan, which came back clear, but then told his manager he didn't feel right to play.
The 30-year-old hasn't played football since picking up a groin injury against Everton in February and former England international Gabriel Agbonlahor says Henderson is letting down his country by taking up a spot a fully-fit player could take.
"The thing that is really winding me up is the Henderson thing," said Agbonlahor on talkSPORT.
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"Even for Henderson, he should just be honest with the manager now and say, 'You know what? I am struggling here. I'm a leader and a captain in myself, I'll do the right thing for the squad. Bring in Ben White, Eric Dier, bring in whoever you have to bring in as another centre midfielder, because this injury is playing up now, I'm not fit and it might reoccur if I do get better for the second game.'"
Southgate faced a challenging selection issue against Austria as he was without his Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United players (all given extra time off after their clubs' European finals at the end of May).
However the manager revealed that Henderson told him he wasn't fit to play.
"He wasn't happy this morning with how he felt," said Southgate. "We scanned him and that was all clear.
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"The decision was taken not to involve him tonight and let's see how he progresses from there."
Henderson's Liverpool colleague Trent Alexander-Arnold did play and unfortunately may have picked up a thigh injury during the match. There will be a wait to see if he can still play in the Euros (although England are famously well stocked with right-backs if he cannot).
But ex-Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor's focus was on his disappointment with the news that Henderson still does not feel fit to play.
"I think he is being selfish," Agbonlahor told his talkSPORT co-host Jamie O'Hara. "If you look at it, the squad has been announced and he told Southgate this morning that he is not fit today.
"They said the scans have come back and they're fine, and he knows himself that there is a niggle he is feeling.
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"The tournament starts in 10 days, you are playing against Croatia, playing against a good, good team. You need to be at it, you need a training session before the game, you need some games in you."
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Euro 2020, England, Jordan Henderson, Gareth Southgate