Fabio Capello insists he has picked what he describes as his “strongest squad” for the England friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley on Wednesday.
Jermain Defoe was one of four forwards named in the squad. Defoe, who scored two against Trinidad & Tobago during England’s last outing in May, has been selected ahead of team-mate Peter Crouch. Fit again Emile Heskey is also included as is Wayne Rooney and Arsenal youngster Theo Walcott, although named in the England Under-21 squad will step up for the seniors following his selection.
Despite a couple of goals yesterday, Dean Ashton missed his chance of selection when he limped off for West Ham. Also missing out through injury are Michael Owen and Tottenham’s in-form Darren Bent. David Beckham however, with the chance to win his 103rd England cap, is included in the party, as are Chelsea boys Wayne Bridge, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard.
After a woeful season with both Spurs and England last time out, goalkeeper Paul Robinson has earned a recall following his move to Blackburn and Manchester City’s Joe Hart retains his place after winning his first senior cap as a substitute in the game against Trinidad and Tobago.
Announcing his selection, Capello said “It is an important game because I hope to get the answers from the players that I hope to achieve. I hope to get what I expect. I have to check on their form but the experimenting is finished. I know the players very well now. When I started working with the players they were a bit scared and afraid. After a while a lot of players played better. It’s not fear about me but it was soon after not qualifying and for the players it was like an examination or test. It is not so. I think they know me, what I ask of them, about my style, the movement around the pitch – they know and it’s better now. ”
After playing the Czech Republic, England face Andorra and Croatia in their opening World Cup qualifiers in September.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic)
Blue is the colour
