Harry backs Scholes for England

HARRY Redknapp admits he would love to see Paul Scholes pull on an England shirt at this summer's European Championship.

Scholes has not played for England since retiring from international football in 2004 at the age of 29.

The Manchester United midfielder hung up his boots completely last summer, but answered an SOS from Sir Alex Ferguson last month and has seamlessly slotted back into the Red Devils' squad.

Scholes turned down the chance to play at the 2010 World Cup when offered the chance by Fabio Capello - a move he later said he regretted.

He may now get a crack at another international tournament with England however, if, as expected Redknapp takes over from the Italian as national coach this summer.

"Let's be honest, you'd love to have Paul Scholes in the Euros this year," the Tottenham boss said.

"He'd be in your team, he's that good. You'd love him to play. He plays like a Spaniard, he can play like (Barcelona's) Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta. He doesn't give the ball away."

An FA panel met on Friday to discuss successors to Capello, who resigned last Wednesday following the row that engulfed former captain John Terry.

Terry has been stripped of the armband until his trial over alleged racist comments towards Anton Ferdinand is heard in the summer after Euro 2012 – allegations he denies.