Robbie Williams has said he's "gutted" he can't play in a charity football match he founded because of a bad knee.

The Angels singer developed Soccer Aid with pal Jonathan Wilkes, but team England will now have to find a new skipper.

Williams said: "Being able to help so many people through Soccer Aid was one of the true highlights of my life.

"I'm gutted that this time round my knee isn't up to it so unfortunately I'm out of the game.

"But I hope that everyone involved has the time of their life like I did, raises loads of money for Unicef and that the best side wins."

Each squad comprises 11 celebrities and five World Cup greats and the responsibility of deciding who will replace Williams is in the hands of manager and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp.

His squad already includes football legends Jamie Redknapp and Alan Shearer, Dancing on Ice star Kyran Bracken, GMTV presenter Ben Shephard, pop star Gareth Gates, Heart 1062 presenter Jamie Theakston, and TV personality Wilkes.

Meanwhile, Kenny Dalglish will take charge of the Rest of the World and players hoping to make it into his starting line up include Westlife's Nicky Byrne, journalist and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, TV presenter Patrick Kielty, cricketer Brian Lara, Desperate Housewives star Jesse Metcalfe and football legend Peter Schmeichel.

TV chef Gordon Ramsay will return to captain Rest of the World.

Soccer Aid was last held at Old Trafford in 2006 and attracted a host of world class players and celebrities including Diego Maradona and Paul Gascoigne.

The all-star match raised £2.6 million for Unicef's work with Partners for Children around the world.

London's Wembley Stadium will host the event on Sunday, September 7, fronted by Ant and Dec and shown on ITV1.

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