Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has rapped England coach Roy Hodgson for ignoring Joleon Lescott.

Mancini insists he is baffled by the news but reckons it could benefit the Blues if Lescott is not involved.

The Italian said: "I love Joleon. He is a top quality man, a serious professional player. It is perfect, I like the man and I like the player.

"I don't know why he's been left out. I read all the newspapers, they were pushing for Rio.

"He (Hodgson) has a lot of defenders, but Joleon is a good "He (Hodgson) has a lot of defenders, but Joleon is a good player."