Baines, King handed surprise England call-ups

March 23, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – England coach Fabio Capello handed Everton defender Leighton Baines a surprise call-up to his squad for the friendly against Slovakia and World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Capello also named Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, Tottenham defender Ledley King and his White Hart Lane team-mate Aaron Lennon in the 24-man squad.

Uncapped left-back Baines comes in for injured Manchester City star Wayne Bridge, who is the usual England deputy for Ashley Cole.

The former Wigan player has been watched several times by Capello and scored a superb free-kick in Saturday’s defeat at Portsmouth to finally claim his first goal for Everton since joining the club two seasons ago.

King’s presence in the squad for the first time under Capello was also a surprise given that the Tottenham centre-back is rarely able to train due to a long-term knee injury.

As expected, Foster, who has two caps, was called-up as reward for his man of the match display in Manchester United’s League Cup final win over Tottenham earlier this month.

Tottenham winger Lennon, who won the last of his nine caps against Andorra two years ago, also impressed in the League Cup final and has produced several influential displays since, including Saturday’s win over Chelsea.

England’s 24-man squad for the friendly against Slovakia on March 28 and World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on April 1:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Manchester United), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (AC Milan/ITA), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City)

Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

Written by: AFP

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