Thursday 26 November 2015 18:26, UK
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes thinks that it is unlikely that Ryan Shawcross will be recalled to the England squad ahead of Euro 2016.
The Stoke captain won his first and only cap back in 2012 - in a 4-2 friendly defeat against Sweden in Stockholm - but has not received a call-up since from Roy Hodgson.
The 28-year-old centre-back made his first appearance of the season after back surgery against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup last month.
Hughes told Sky Sports News HQ: "Ryan Shawcross has had a long-term injury that he's just come back from and he's getting back up to speed.
"From the first time he came back against Chelsea he's been outstanding. He certainly has the ambitions to get into the England squad but he just has to continue with performing well here.
"Roy has stuck with the players that have got him through the [Euro 2016] qualification campaign, however, so Ryan might have to wait for a change of circumstance in order to get a chance.
"All managers have loyalty to players that have produced for them in the past and you can understand that, particularly at this late stage before a major tournament."
Hughes is hopeful Philipp Wollscheid can shake off a pelvic problem and feature alongside Shawcross against Sunderland this weekend.
"Unfortunately Philipp is a little bit sore with his pelvis," Hughes said. "Hopefully he will train on Friday and will be able to feature at Sunderland.
"At the moment defensively we are very sound and that's giving us a platform to build on.
"The creative players in the team can then take confidence from that as they know if they lose the ball it might not allow the opposition to open us up."
