England winger Stewart Downing has insisted that England's Euro 2012 preparations have not been affected by the ongoing saga surrounding Rio Ferdinand's omission from the squad.
Roy Hodgson's decision not to select Ferdinand in his 23-man-squad has sparked huge debate among England supporters but Downing does not believe his teammates have been affected.
Speaking to reporters at the team's Krakow base, Downing told reporters that the issue was not even a topic of conversation.
"Certainly not," he said. "Whoever the manager picks, we just get on with it. I just concentrate on my own game and why I am here. It has obviously been built up but players just get on with it."
Insisting that the situation had not had a negative impact on the squad, he added: "The manager has just told us to concentrate on playing in the games and the players who are here."
Downing and his England colleagues will be hoping to get England off to a perfect start at Euro 2012 when they take on France in the opening Group B game on June 11.
