JASON Wilcox missed out when Terry Venables named his 22-man England squad for Euro 96 on arrival at Heathrow today.

Newcastle's Robert Lee, Dennis Wise (Chelsea) and Ugo Ehiogu (Aston Villa) were the other members of the unlucky quartet who were cut from the squad which completed England's preparations with two games in the Far East.

Peter Beardsley had already been told his services would not be required.

The Blackburn Rovers winger was always going to be a borderline case after a dramatic late call to the national team's build-up.

But Wilcox put himself in with a chance of making the final squad thanks to an excellent debut against Hungary at Wembley.

As he only featured for a few minutes in the meaningless match in Hong Kong - the second game of the trip - the odds against him making the squad began to lengthen.

Today came confirmation that Alan Shearer and Tim Flowers would be the Ewood representatives as England bid for Euro 96 glory.

The England coach delayed announcing his squad until the unlucky quartet had landed and dispersed from Heathrow after the Far East tour. And he will not go into detail about why they have missed out, risking the danger of giving Euro opponents Switzerland, Scotland and Holland a priceless insight into his tactical thinking.

"I have always said who to leave out would be the most difficult decision of my football life. It has been," he said.

"But professionals have to take difficult decisions. Other professionals have to accept them. Those who have missed out are very unfortunate.

"The 22, though, give England a squad of quality, versatility, flair and - above all - it's a squad that believes in itself.

"Over more than two years a real unity of purpose has grown up. We want to win for everyone. Now comes the real test."

He has taken a few gambles, as he always was going to have to, especially with injuries hitting his central defence, where Mark Wright's knee and Gary Pallister's back left him sweating on Tony Adams' return. With that proven in China and Hong Kong, he can afford to give Steve Howey more time to sharpen up his rehabilitation from a calf problem at the expense of Ehiogu, who only made his debut as a substitute last week.

So Howey edges in, but Lee loses out, despite an impressive display in the 3-0 win over Hungary 12 days ago, when he proved he offers more than just cover for David Platt.

Once Venables was convinced he had to go with a strong attacking hand, keeping all three front-line strikers plus Teddy Sheringham and Nick Barmby, he had to swing left or right.

In the end, he plumped for Steve Stone over Wilcox, on experience - Stone deserves the call after his spectacular introduction this season - and because the Forest winger could play there if Darren Anderton moves over to the left.

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