11:40am Saturday 6th March 2010
By Gary York
FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has urged Wayne Bridge to reconsider his international exile after revealing his own regrets over snubbing England.
Sutton earned his one and only international cap against Cameroon in 1997, but then refused to play for England’s B team against Chile the following February.
His controversial decision - taken during his five-year stint at Rovers - incurred the wrath of then English boss Glenn Hoddle and Sutton was never again picked by his country.
Now, Manchester City defender Bridge has publicly withdrawn from Fabio Capello’s plans for different personal reasons.
But Sutton, enjoying his first season in management at League Two side Lincoln City, is hoping the left-back does not have the same regrets he did.
Looking back at his decision, Sutton said: “Would I have changed things? Yes, I probably would. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have done what I did. I would have had more caps for England, certainly in friendlies.
“Would I have played in a World Cup or a European Championship for my country? I reckon probably not.
"There were some good strikers around, but equally, what happened was still not a wise decision.
“I got one cap against Cameroon. I had a difference of opinion with Glenn Hoddle. It was his prerogative regardless whether he was right or not. I should have accepted it. I didn’t. But, you learn from experiences.
“I'm not going to start to advise any current England players.
"But you listen to your manager. My manager at the time, Roy Hodgson at Blackburn, told me to think carefully about what I did with England.
“Obviously I didn't think carefully and I regretted it!”
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