Dino: Steele should be in England squad
12:30pm Monday 12th May 2008
DINO Maamria is miffed at Lee Steele's exclusion from the England C squad.
The Vics boss admitted he was unhappy the 34-year-old missed the cut following an initial call up.
"I don't think it's been handled too well," he told the Guardian.
"They sent him a letter telling him he was part of their plans and now it seems he's not."
Instead Steele, who finished as Vics' top scorer last term with 14 goals in league and cup, is on standby along with Witton Albion full back Liam Brownhill for a Home Nations tournament in Wales at the end of the month.
England take on opposition from the hosts, Scotland and new entrants Gibraltar, who replace the Republic of Ireland in the competition from last year.
"Show me a better striker in the squad than Steeley," said Maamria.
"I think he's matched the performance of the other guys.
"He's been around a long time and is a proven goalscorer at this level and in the Football League."
Manager Paul Fairclough has gone for Halifax Town's Jon Shaw, Stevenage Borough hot shot Steve Morison and Burton Albion's rising star Shaun Harrad as his strike force.
One regular face not included is Ebbsfleet United keeper Lance Cronin who faces surgery following his Wembley appearance in the FA Trophy final on Saturday.
Vics custodian Scott Tynan is expected to be first choice for the tournament with Blyth Spartans youngster Adam Bartlett as back up.
Immediately following the Home Nations tournament, the squad head off to the Caribbean for two international friendly fixtures against Grenada on May 31 and Barbados on June 2.