Back from the brink

England midfielder Scott Parker admits he is determined to make up for lost time at Euro 2012 after his international career appeared to be on the rocks.
Parker has recovered from an Achilles injury to be named in Roy Hodgson's 23-man Euro squad and the Tottenham star is widely expected to feature alongside Steven Gerrard in England's midfield in their opening group match against France on June 11.
It is a remarkable renaissance for Parker, who just two years ago feared his England career was over when he took a call from then coach Fabio Capello to inform him he would not be going to the World Cup in South Africa.
Parker had been named in Capello's preliminary squad but did not play a minute of two pre-tournament friendlies against Mexico and Japan and was axed by Capello when he trimmed his group for the tournament.
At that point, Parker felt he may never play for England again but injuries gave him one last chance and he seized it in a friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen in February 2011.
"I had reached a point where I had nothing to lose," Parker said of the Denmark match. "I could either not play well and it would be a massive struggle to get back in or I could go out with no fear and do the best I could."
Now Parker is well established in the international set-up and fulfilled a childhood ambition when he captained England for their friendly defeat against Holland at Wembley earlier this season.