Playing for England in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign became "a bit of a chore" for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. The 24-year-old said the players started to resent turning up to play for England because of the abuse from fans and told the Daily Mirror: "It was a bit of a chore.

"People were thinking, 'What is the point in me going down there and playing for England, I am only going to get booed'.

"But you think, 'Why let those people stop you doing what you want? And that is play for England'. They can boo all they want but if I get picked for England I must be doing something right."