Carra on Roy’s defender ‘risk’

England manager Roy Hodgson has taken a gamble by including only three central defenders in his pre-Euro 2016 squad, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

Hodgson has selected his first-choice centre-back pairing of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling with 21-year-old Everton defender John Stones acting as back-up.

However, Stones’ experienced club-mate Phil Jagielka, who played at both the 2014 World Cup and during England’s unbeaten qualifying campaign, misses out, with Hodgson expected to utilise Tottenham Hotspur holding midfielder Eric Dier as a back-up centre back.

“They’re players I respect and admire, but you have to make a decision,” Hodgson said on Monday when announcing his 26-man squad that will be reduced to 23 names by May 31.

“I’ve decided we’d rob Peter to pay Paul, in the sense of taking only seven defenders, and unfortunately that’s gone over Phil.

“It was a tough conversation, but I’m glad to have spoken to him.”

Carragher, though, believes Hodgson is taking a risk by not including a fourth central defender in his squad for …

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