Norwich City’s Premier League exit hindered John Ruddy’s World Cup bid, according to England chief

Norwich City keeper John Ruddy missed out on the England World Cup squad with former Canaries' loanee Fraser Forster getting the nod. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire. PA Wire

England director of football Sir Trevor Brooking has admitted Norwich City’s Premier League relegation did John Ruddy no favours in the wake of his World Cup snub from the Three Lions this summer.

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Ruddy was left out of Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad which headed to Brazil with the England boss opting to include former City loanee Fraser Forster alongside first choice Joe Hart and understudy Ben Foster.

Forster’s impressive Champions League form for Celtic combined with Ruddy’s tough season at Carrow Road tipped the balance, according to Brooking, who will stand down from his current FA role after the tournament.

“It was Forster’s Champions League displays over the past couple of campaigns that brought him on to England’s radar,” he said. “I remember seeing Fraser keep Barcelona at bay at Celtic Park when Celtic beat the Spaniards and Roy realised then that Forster was someone who was worth having a look at.

“That is why he was brought into the England set-up for them to analyse. He has played some of Europe’s finest clubs in the Champions League group stages recently with Celtic and there is no sterner test of your credentials than that.

“Fraser has a lot of build and size and he is the kind of keeper who dominates his penalty box. He has come through the Champions League tests at club level with flying colours.

“Ruddy was Fraser’s main competitor for the third England keeper’s jersey, but he has had a difficult season with Norwich being relegated. Fraser is in the England World Cup team on merit and fully deserves to be there.

“He will benefit greatly from being around the likes of Joe and Ben. Fraser will learn a lot from just being in their company as well as the experience of being at a World Cup tournament.”