JERSEY’S footballing superstar Graeme Le Saux has quit the BBC after being dropped from the World Cup commentary team.

The former England, Chelsea, Blackburn and Southampton left-back has quit his lucrative commentary and analysis job after the role of co-presenter for England’s World Cup campaign in Germany was apparently given to Mark Lawrenson after being promised to the Jerseyman.

He will not appear in his usual place as a pundit on Match Of The Day tonight.

A statement from the BBC said: ‘Graeme Le Saux was moved off the England commentary team because the BBC felt that for games of this significance, the audience would want the experience and expertise that Mark Lawrenson brings to the commentary box.

Graeme was offered an alternative role at the World Cup and opportunities to continue to learn and develop his skills within the BBC, but he declined the offer.’ Le Saux won 36 caps for England – and scored a wonder goal against Brazil in a match they were fated to lose 1-3 at Wembley.

The former JEP columnist was the subject of the Saturday Interview at the start of the year and said then that he was settling down to a new career on the sofa after a lifetime on the pitch.

And he said he had been thrilled at the prospect of commentating on England’s matches.

‘When you come out of football and go into a new career you set new targets, you imagine where it could go, and the obvious answer is to present on TV.

So many people want to present, but I’m in the best place.

That’s the most important first step.

The exciting thing for me was to be chosen to do the England games at the World Cup, and that is really exciting.’ Talking about England’s chances in the Germany tournament, he added: ‘We are so desperate to succeed, but we have to try to contain the excitement and expectation.

But with the talent we have, yes, we are one of four teams that can win it.

We need a good tournament and we need to ride our luck because you can’t play well in every game.’