‘I went to Miami after missing out on England squad and ended up with £20k fine’

Missing out on an England call-up resulted in a double blow for Gabby Agnonlahor – as his subsequent trip to Miami earned him a £20,000 fine.

The striker-turned-pundit made three appearances for the Three Lions between 2008 and 2009 and was called up to the squad for the last time in November 2011. As a result, he used one of the next international breaks for a getaway instead.

He jetted off to America with Aston Villa team-mate Jordan Bowery, which went swimmingly – until they tried getting home. Speaking on talkSPORT, Agnonlahor recalled: "On the way back we got to the airport and our flight was delayed.

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"Our flight was landing at Heathrow at 6:30am and we had to be at training for nine. It’s only an hour 40 minute drive but there was no room for delay.

"It was delayed for four hours. We were working out the times, knowing we weren’t going to make it, so we were thinking of excuses. But I was like, do you know what, I get on with Paul Lambert, I’m just going to be honest and say the flight was delayed."

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As well all know, honesty is the best policy. But that didn't earn any forgiveness from then-Villa boss Lambert, who made sure he paid.

Agnonlahor continued: "Anyway, we got to training at 12pm and it had started at 10, the players were walking off the training pitch. But Paul was just laughing saying ‘it’s going to be an expensive one’.

"It cost me £10,000 in cash and £10,000 out my wages. It was less for Jordan as he was on less. All because of British Airways.

"But because I was a senior pro and got on with the gaffer well [it was fine], but if I was a young lad like Jordan I’d have been nervous. But yeah, that was a funny story."

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