John Terry has performed an amazing U-turn by declaring himself ready to come out of international retirement with England.
Sportsmail can reveal the former captain, who walked away from his country ahead of an FA hearing into racism allegations last September, is prepared to answer any call from manager Roy Hodgson.
The Chelsea club skipper has also made it known he would be prepared to play alongside Rio Ferdinand if they were both recalled to the squad.
Terry had already been cleared by Westminster Magistrates’ Court, but an independent FA commission found him guilty, banning him for four matches and fining him £220,000.
The Chelsea skipper apologised for his inappropriate language in a statement that day and vowed to clean up his act.
His last game for England was as a substitute in the 5-0 victory over Moldova in a World Cup qualifier in September. He served a four-match domestic ban for the Anton Ferdinand affair, but the FA did not impose an international ban because the defender had already decided to quit England.
Retrospective action from the FA now would raise the argument that he is being punished twice for the same offence.
Hodgson is spending a few days away, but the development will be a surprise to him. He recalled West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster to the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro last month after persuading him out of international retirement.
‘I’m not in the strongest position to go knocking on the door and I understand I can’t be around forever,’ he said.
‘Wherever I go after Chelsea it certainly wouldn’t be in England. I couldn’t do that to Chelsea or the fans, that’s just not me.
‘My future depends on who the manager is next season, but I’ll wait for the club. I’ve got a great relationship with the guys who make those decisions.’