England Euro 2012 Roster: Was Roy Hodgson Right to Leave out Rio Ferdinand?

That whether or not Rio Ferdinand would be part of England's Euro 2012 squad had become an issue in recent months is testament to the ever-changing nature of sport.

In addition to the John Terry-part of this story, Ferdinand's form and fitness with Manchester United this season saw the centre-half force his way back into contention.

Lest we forget, Ferdinand's last England appearance was in a 2-2 draw with Switzerland last June. For some time now, his injury problems had denied him regular international football, even causing him to miss out on the 2010 World Cup.

Among England's most recent fixtures, decent showings from Joleon Lescott, Phil Jones, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling had lessened the blow of Ferdinand's absence by proving there was quality in his place.

Ferdinand must be applauded, then, for the way he has overcome fitness concerns to once again become a regular and important part of the United defence, and in doing so, restated his national team credentials in the best way possible.

However, new England manager Roy Hodgson was not wrong in his decision to leave out the 33-year-old.

In his press conference following the squad's announcement on Wednesday afternoon, Hodgson stated the selection wasn't based on concerns that Ferdinand and Terry (who was selected) would not be able to peacefully coexist over charges against the latter that he racially abused Rio's brother and QPR defender Anton.

Instead, Hodgson said it was a decision based on "footballing reasons".

Hodgson has avoided a potential problem here, but even if assurances both defenders might have given they could work together turned out to be true, there is sound reasoning in leaving Ferdinand behind.

England are at a point, after a decade of some decent but ultimately frustrating showings in tournaments, where they have to look forward and give different players an opportunity to prove themselves.

Arguments will be made that a tournament squad should be made up of the best players possible. Whilst Ferdinand might have the edge on others who have gone in his place in terms of overall quality, there is not such a gap there in this respect that concessions cannot be made in looking to the future.

That is something Hodgson has done by selecting Cahill, Lescott and Jones as his other centre-backs (in addition to the older Terry).

Cahill and Lescott especially strike the balance between being youthful enough they will likely still be available for the 2014 World Cup—should England qualify (form permitting)—but also experienced enough for the here and now.

Besides which, Lescott is a newly crowned Premier League champion with Manchester City—coming off possibly his best-ever campaign individually—whilst Chelsea's Cahill may well be a Champions League winner by the time he joins up with his England team-mates.

Those two will be as confident as ever about their own abilities and will have every right to go into the summer feeling established as two of England's best in their position.

Jones has been selected for his versatility, of course, and can play full-back as well as centrally. Although he hasn't been consistently deployed at centre-back for his club side, his impressive displays against Sweden and Spain last November indicate he is more than ready to step in there, should he be required.

At which point, we get back to a certain Mr Terry.

The Chelsea and recently deposed England captain, for one reason or another, last played for England in the 2-2 European Championships qualifier with Montenegro.

His team-mates have shown themselves capable without him, and given the similarly strong seasons both he and Ferdinand have had at club level, is there anything really separating the two?

Quite honestly, no.

If in Hodgson's mind, after considering the reasons for choosing the other players discussed above, it then came down to choosing either of these players as the experienced 'figurehead' of his defence, then it really was a case of personal preference.

Terry and Ferdinand are both veterans with virtues pertaining to leadership and stand-out attributes as defenders. Each too have a club team-mate within the squad (Cahill and Jones, respectively) they could point to as having an understanding and cite as an argument for their selection.

Arguments can be made for taking either to Euro 2012, but Hodgson chose Terry.

There was a point in the announcement press conference when the England boss laughed at yet another question around Ferdinand, and wondered aloud why so much time was spent discussing a player not even in the squad (before he politely and sensibly answered).

Well, given Ferdinand's service for England since 1997 (81 appearances), he deserves as much. But after a day or two of discussion, it really will be time to move on.

And Ferdinand will have to do so, too, even though he is no longer part of this progression.