Young guns for an England place
Friday, August 31, 2007
Article summary
Ashley Young has received a first call-up as England reshuffle their squad for the Group E qualifiers against Israel and Russia in the absence of Wayne Rooney.
Article body
Ashley Young has received a first call-up as England reshuffle their squad for the qualifiers against Israel and Russia in the absence of Wayne Rooney.
Absent stars
With Rooney and David Beckham injured, and Peter Crouch suspended for the 8 September visit of Israel, Aston Villa FC forward Young gets the nod along with Blackburn Rovers FC midfielder David Bentley for what will be England's first competitive international at the new Wembley. With Russia also visiting London four days later, England will be trying to improve on their fourth position in Group E. Manager Steve McClaren said: "We are very positive that it is in our hands. We have four homes games and we have to make them count."
England squad
Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur FC), David James (Portsmouth FC), Scott Carson (Aston Villa FC).
Defenders: Micah Richards (Manchester City FC), Wes Brown (Manchester United FC), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United FC), John Terry (Chelsea FC), Ashley Cole (Chelsea FC), Sol Campbell (Portsmouth FC), Phil Neville (Everton FC), Nicky Shorey (Reading FC).
Midfielders: David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers FC), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Frank Lampard (Chelsea FC), Joe Cole (Chelsea FC), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea FC), Michael Carrick (Manchester United FC), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa FC), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough FC), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United FC).
Forwards: Ashley Young (Aston Villa FC), Alan Smith (Newcastle United FC), Michael Owen (Newcastle United FC), Peter Crouch (Liverpool FC), Andrew Johnson (Everton FC), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur FC).
