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World Cup: England captain Steven Gerrard urges Harry Redknapp to name and shame players

England's Steven Gerrard during a press conference at Urca Military Training Ground, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Image: Steven Gerrard: England captain urging Harry Redknapp to name and shame players

Steven Gerrard has urged Harry Redknapp to name and shame the players he claims wanted to withdraw from England duty while he was manager of Tottenham.

Redknapp claimed on Sunday that certain England players urged him to make them unavailable for international duty during his tenure at White Hart Lane.

But the England captain has been angered by the claims and demanded the QPR boss come forward and reveal the players he is referring to.

"I don't know who he means. Is it five years ago? 10 years ago? We need names," said Gerrard.

"If it's the case, it's disgusting."

The England team are still coming to terms with their early exit from the World Cup as they prepare to face Costa Rica in their final Group D game before returning home.

I don't know who he means. Is it five years ago? 10 years ago? We need names. If it's the case, it's disgusting.
Steven Gerrard

But Gerrard insists there has been no lack of commitment or effort among the squad in Brazil.

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"I can guarantee that is not the case here," added Gerrard. "Nobody here wants to go home.

"In the two years I've been here, I've seen a greater interest in playing for England, so Harry's comments come as a bit of a surprise."

Redknapp stunned members of the England camp in Brazil on Sunday with his claims about his former players at Spurs.

"When I was at Tottenham, when full internationals came around, there were two or three players who did not want to play for England," the QPR boss told the BBC.

"They would come to me 10 days before the game and say, 'Gaffer, get me out of that game, I don't want to play in that game'.

"I'd say, 'you're playing for your country, you should want to play'.

"(They would say) 'Nah, my girlfriend is having a baby in four weeks, I don't want to play' and that is the truth, so it makes you wonder."

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