Lennon and Crouch earn England call ups

August 31, 2009

Fabio Capello announced his squad for the friendly against Slovenian and the World Cup qualifier against Croatia and found a place in the squad for both Aaron Lennon and Peter Crouch but none for Michael Owen.

Manchester United defender Wes Brown was also recalled, while Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard returns after injury.

Owen last played for England in March 2008 and has started only once for Manchester United this season as the former England regular looks to get himself to the top of his game.

Injuries prevented Capello from including two veteran internationals in Portsmouth’s David James, who has bone bruising, while Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is also not yet fit enough to return as he recovers from a thigh injury.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is also unavailable again as he has not played yet this season because of a back injury, meaning Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, James Milner, David Beckham and Ashley Young provide the wing options.

England squad for 5 September friendly against Slovenia and the 9 September World Cup qualifier against Croatia:

Goalkeepers: Foster (Manchester United), Green (West Ham), Robinson (Blackburn)

Defenders: Johnson (Liverpool), Brown (Manchester United), Upson (West Ham), Terry (Chelsea, capt), Lescott (Manchester City), A Cole (Chelsea), Bridge (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Lennon (Tottenham), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Barry (Manchester City), Lampard (Chelsea), Carrick (Manchester United), Gerrard (Liverpool), A Young (Aston Villa), Milner (Aston Villa)

Strikers: Rooney (Manchester United), Heskey (Aston Villa), Defoe (Tottenham), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Tottenham).

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