DAVID Howell insists his good friend Darren Clarke can count himself unlucky not to be included in the European team for the Ryder Cup, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.

Swindon star Howell, who also missed out on selection for the match in Valhalla, believes the Irishman did “everything he could” to stake a late claim for a wild card pick.

European captain Nick Faldo snubbed Clarke and fellow Ryder Cup veteran Colin Montgomerie in favour of Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, in a bold move ahead of the biennial duel with the USA, but Howell admits he was not entirely surprised.

“It was always going to be two from three,” said the man from Broome Manor.

“I think the general opinion is that people think it was slightly hard on Darren, but I can totally see the merits of picking Ian Poulter.

“He was the highest ranked person not to automatically qualify for the team, so from that perspective he deserves his pick.

“On the other hand, in Darren you have a ready-made partner for Lee Westwood.

“I think those two would have played well together at Valhalla and been good for a couple of points at least.

“But then there’s an argument to say don’t pick people just because they play well with others, and you just pick them on the world rankings.”

Howell’s superb tied third finish at the Johnnie Walker Championship on Sunday was not enough to secure him a wild card slot, although the 33-year-old admitted pre-tournament his own Ryder Cup hopes had all but vanished. He will now take a week off from competitive golf before a possible return to action at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany, which begins on September 11.

“I’ve not really planned too far ahead at the moment,” added Howell.

“I’m going to put my feet up this week, and then maybe head over to Germany the week after.

“I was really pleased with the way I played the last three days at Gleneagles and I want to build on that in the coming weeks.”