Europe's Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance has dropped a strong hint that Nick Faldo will not be selected for this year's tournament.

The bi-annual battle between Europe and America takes place this September at The Belfry.

And Torrance has made it clear that, on current form, he would select Spain's Sergio Garcia and Swede Jesper Parnevik as his 'wild card' players.

Ten players automatically qualify, with two "wild card" entries. Faldo lies 18th in the rankings.

'Always challenging'

"If I was picking right now, I'd have to pick Sergio and Jesper," said Torrance.

"They've both won in America and are both playing some great golf at the moment. It would be very difficult to leave either of them out.

"Jesper may have had a few tentative weeks but he is always challenging. And I can't ask much more of Sergio."

It would mean a second successive absence for Faldo, who holds the Ryder Cup record for matches played and points won.

But the six-time Major winner believes he can still claim an automatic place in the team after finding his form again at Wentworth recently.

With four more events to find the necessary points, it is still possible for Faldo to qualify.