Allardyce lures back John Terry

ENGLAND manager Sam Allardyce has said he may consider holding talks with defender John Terry on a possible return to international football, but added he was not aware of “political” issues that may arise as a consequence.

Terry won the last of his 78 England caps in 2012, before quitting the national team after the Football Association pursued a case against him following accusations of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

The Chelsea defender was subsequently banned for four matches by the FA, despite being cleared of the allegation in court.

Allardyce did not rule out a return for the former England captain.

“Maybe so. I think it depends on what John said. Maybe if I get the opportunity, I might have to give him a ring,” he told British media.

“But until I come to that selection or that process, we’ll wait and see. “I don’t know what the political side of that might mean, if there is a political side. I’ll have to have that conversation if I feel that John may be a possibility.”

Allardyce said John Stones will benefit from working under manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and the defender has a great opportunity to cement his place in England’s defence.

“Potential is something that’s going to be great in the future. I want it right now and he’s (Stones) got a great chance of becoming it right now with working with Manchester City,” he added.

Meanwhile, Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart will be part of the England squad travelling to take on Slovakia in their first World Cup qualifier.

Hart, who has 63 caps for England, is yet to make an appearance for Manchester City this season and, according to British media reports, has been told by Guardiola that he is free to leave.

The 29-year-old Hart’s future at the club was thrown further into doubt after Spanish champions Barcelona said on Saturday they had reached the “beginning of an agreement” with City over the transfer of their goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. “He will be in the squad definitely. What we will do, I won’t know until I speak to Joe and that will be the same for most of the players,” Allardyce said.

Allardyce will name his squad on Sunday for their game against Slovakia on September 4.