Ashton and Owen step forward
Friday, October 5, 2007
Article summary
England coach Steve McClaren has brought Dean Ashton back into the squad and also included Michael Owen for the qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.
Article body
Attacking options
Ashton, the uncapped West Ham United FC striker, missed the whole of last season after suffering a broken ankle in training ahead of England's friendly against Greece last August. However, he has scored three goals in his last four games for West Ham and the tall, mobile forward offers McClaren a potentially important option in attack given the absence of the injured Emile Heskey and doubts over Owen's fitness.
Three to play
Owen, who scored three goals in last month's wins over Israel and Russia, is included in the squad but has yet to play for Newcastle United FC since he underwent groin surgery. England face Estonia at Wembley on 13 October before visiting Moscow to take on Russia four days later. McClaren's team are in second place in Group E, three points behind leaders Croatia with three games remaining.
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), Phil Neville (Everton FC), Sol Campbell (Portsmouth FC), Joleon Lescott (Everton FC), Nicky Shorey (Reading FC).
Midfielders: Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea FC), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa FC), Joe Cole (Chelsea FC), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough FC), Frank Lampard (Chelsea FC), Ashley Young (Aston Villa FC), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers FC).
Forwards: Michael Owen (Newcastle United FC), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC), Alan Smith (Newcastle United FC), Dean Ashton (West Ham United FC), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Andrew Johnson (Everton FC), Peter Crouch (Liverpool FC).
