Happy return for Hakan Sükür

Surprise return 
The Blackburn Rovers FC striker last played for Senol Günes's side in the third-place play-off match against the Korean Republic at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He was subsequently called up for the August friendly against Georgia but could not participate due to injury.

English experience
The match at Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light on 2 April could prove decisive to both team's ambitions, and Hakan Sükür's experience of English football will come in useful. He is joined in a 24-man squad by two more English-based players - Blackburn team-mate Tugay Kerimoglu and Aston Villa FC defender Alpay Özalan.

Fenerbahçe duo
More surprisingly, only two Fenerbahçe SK players are included, with international regulars Abdullah Ercan, Ogün Temizkanoglu and Ümit Özat being left out of a squad dominated by players from Istanbul's other two big clubs, Galatasaray SK and Besiktas JK.

European experience
Further European experience will come from Real Sociedad duo Tayfun Korkut and Nihat Kahveci, Okan Buruk and Emre Belözoglu of Internazionale FC, and Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfield player Yildiray Bastürk. Turkey top Group 7 with nine points from their opening three games. England are second with four points from two matches.

Turkey squad
Tayfur Havutçu, Ahmet Yildirim, Ilhan Mansiz, Bülent Korkmaz, Hasan Sas, Emre Asik, Hakan Ünsal, Ergün Penbe, Ümit Davala, Deniz Baris, Rüstü Reçber, Fatih Akyel, Fatih Tekke, Ömer Çatkiç, Mustafa Özkan, Zafer Özgültekin, Okan Buruk, Emre Belözoglu, Tayfun Korkut, Nihat Kahveci, Tugay Kerimoglu, Hakan Sükür, Yildiray Bastürk, Alpay Özalan.