LONDON: England coach Roy Hodgson recalled fit-again midfielder Jack Wilshere to his squad on Thursday for next week's friendly away to Sweden and also awarded a first call-up to Everton's Leon Osman.
Steven Gerrard is in line to win his 100th cap in Stockholm on November 14, while goalkeeper Fraser Forster retains his place in the squad after starring in Celtic's shock 2-1 Champions League win over Barcelona on Wednesday.
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole was overlooked due to injury and there was no place either for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, who made his comeback from injury in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Arsenal playmaker Wilshere, 21, recently returned after spending 16 months on the sidelines through injury, which forced him to miss the whole of last season.
He has not represented his country since he made his fifth appearance against Switzerland in June last year.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said Wilshere needs to be eased back into action gently, but his sending-off in the 2-1 loss away to Manchester United last weekend means he will not play at home to Fulham on Saturday.
Liverpool midfield duo Jonjo Shelvey, 20, and Raheem Sterling, 17, were both retained by former Reds boss Hodgson.
SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Fraser Forster (Celtic/SCO), Joe Hart (Man City), John Ruddy (Norwich)
DEFENDERS: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
MIDFIELDERS: Tom Cleverley (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Leon Osman (Everton), Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Man Utd)
FORWARDS: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Daniel Welbeck (Man Utd)
Comments
Comments are closed.