dez Club Superstar


Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 480 Location: Formby, Liverpool
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject: squad |
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Wigan striker Emile Heskey has been recalled to the England squad by coach Fabio Capello but Peter Crouch misses out for the Czech Republic friendly.
Heskey has scored five goals in 45 appearances for England and last played for the international team in September 2007 in the 3-0 win over Russia.
Crouch, who moved to Portsmouth from Liverpool for £11m in the summer, is a surprise omission for Wednesday's game.
And Aston Villa forward Ashley Young will also be disappointed to miss out.
Capello was at Upton Park on Saturday watching West Ham beat Wigan 2-1 thanks to two goals from striker Dean Ashton.
Ashton, who broke his leg two years ago after being handed an England call-up by former coach Steve McClaren, has been ruled out after coming off against Wigan with a calf problem.
606: DEBATE
Give your views on Fabio Capello's squad for the Czech Republic friendly
As Capello reshuffled his striking pack he called on the rest of his players to weigh in with goals to take the pressure off his forwards. "You have to play in a different style - the other players they have to score more goals," said Capello. "You have to come in front of the goal with a lot of players.
"It's a problem everywhere - Italy so-so in attack, Germany so-so. Only Torres is a big striker in this moment in the world.
"Portugal, no. Also the French, you didn't see anything at Euro 2008. It's a big problem now because the teams defend very well."
Capello has named 23 players in total for the Wembley friendly, including both Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, who have been been struggling with thigh injury until this week.
However, with 13 players in action in Sunday's three Premier League games, there has to be a chance the Italian will suffer some withdrawals.
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson is another player to return to the international fold, with central defenders Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate also included.
As expected, David Beckham will make the trip from Los Angeles before flying on to Beijing to take part in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games as London takes centre stage as the next host.
Beckham is one of four captains Capello has used in his four friendlies in charge but the final choice of the man who will lead England into their World Cup qualifiers is thought to be between John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.
The decision is due to be announced on Tuesday, with Ferdinand just favoured to edge it.
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England squad to face Czech Republic on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea),David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe(Portsmouth), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic)
HESKEY BACK IN THE SQUAD 
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