McClaren overhauls England lineup

New England head coach Steve McClaren has named uncapped quartet Dean Ashton, Michael Dawson, Ben Foster and Chris Kirkland in his first squad to play European champions Greece in a friendly on Wednesday - but there are no places for former captain David Beckham or Sol Campbell.

Beckham left out
McClaren, 45, has stepped up from an assistant's role after the departure of Sven-Göran Eriksson. Compared to the squad that reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals there are several additions including goalkeepers Kirkland and Foster, former Under-21 defender Dawson and strikers Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Ashton, who were all overlooked for Germany with the selection of teenager Theo Walcott, now in the U21 team. However, among those out of contention are David Beckham - who had indicated a desire to continue his decade-long international career after giving up the captaincy - Campbell and David James. Michael Owen also misses the match through injury while Wayne Rooney is excluded due to his forthcoming two-game suspension.

Decisions explained
Also unveiling his one-time predecessor Terry Venables as his assistant and John Terry as captain, former Middlesbrough FC manager McClaren said: "In keeping some experienced players in the squad, I wanted to add some youngsters. I believe we have a great set of players and will get success on the field. John Terry has a great hunger and desire to succeed and plays with great passion. I spoke with David Beckham last Monday and notified him of my decision, that I was planning for the future. And David wasn't included in that. He took the news very well. He wants to fight for his place, the door will never be closed." After facing Greece at Old Trafford, England begin their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign at home to Andorra on 2 September. Also in Group E are Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia and F.Y.R. Macedonia.

England squad
Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic FC), Ben Foster (Watford FC).

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Arsenal FC), Luke Young (Charlton Athletic FC), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea FC), John Terry (Chelsea FC), Phil Neville (Everton FC), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool FC), Wes Brown (Manchester United FC), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United FC), Gary Neville (Manchester United FC), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur FC).

Midfielders: Owen Hargreaves (FC Bayern München), Frank Lampard (Chelsea FC), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea FC), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Kieran Richardson (Manchester United FC), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough FC), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur FC).

Forwards: Darren Bent (Charlton Athletic FC), Peter Crouch (Liverpool FC), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Dean Ashton (West Ham United FC).