Surprise names in England squad
by Chris Stanton, 11 May 2008
Fabio Capello has named a 31-man squad for England’s forthcoming friendly international matches against USA and Trinidad & Tobago.
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been called up by England for the first time since he suffered serious injury while training with the national team in August 2006, but the biggest surprises are two more uncapped players.
Everton centre back Phil Jagielka and Blackburn left back Stephen Warnock have both been named in the party. Warnock was called up by Sven Goran Eriksson while still a Liverpool player in 2005 but for Jagielka it is a first full call-up.
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart and Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone are two more notable inclusions, with both receiving their first senior call-ups.
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has an opportunity to make a belated England debut after his call-up for the squad to face Switzerland in February was curtailed by injury.
David Wheater was in the initial squad to face France in March before being cut by Capello. Like Agbonlahor, the Middlesbrough defender has another chance to impress.
David Beckham’s 100th appearance for his country against France is unlikely to have been his last - Capello confirmed as much by picking the LA Galaxy star for the double-header.
England face USA at Wembley on May 28, before travelling to the Caribbean to take on Trinidad & Tobago four days later.
The full squad: David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Man City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Man Utd), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Man Utd), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd).