Injuries Force Fabio Capello Into Squad Reshuffle for Brazil Match

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Fabio Capello named his England squad last night for the upcoming friendly against Brazil with the big names missing through injury grabbing the most attention.

First XI regulars David James, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, and Steven Gerrard have all been omitted from the squad.

James and Cole both played the full ninety minutes for their clubs this weekend and Gerrard is believed to be in line to feature at some point for Liverpool tonight as they prepare to take on Birmingham, nonetheless none have been selected for the trip to Qatar to take on the world’s top ranked side.

Also missing through injury are Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott, Carlton Cole, and Emile Heskey, and Capello has made nine changes in all from his squad for the final World Cup qualifiers just last month.

Ben Foster and Joe Hart, who were both involved as replacements last month, make the initial selection this time around alongside Rob Green.

David James is currently unable to train for up to two days after a match and misses out through injury and Paul Robinson has been left out.

Stephen Warnock is called up in place of Ashley Cole for the first time since last year when he won his only cap in the summer of 2008 and will compete with Wayne Bridge for the left-back spot.

Uncapped Gary Cahill is selected from the start this time having replaced Rio Ferdinand in the past few squads after the Manchester United man’s withdrawal but makes the cut first time around with Ferdinand ruled out for up to six weeks with calf and back injuries.

Tom Huddlestone, also uncapped, is named in the squad for the first time since May 2008 and there is also a recall for club teammate Jermaine Jenas, who scored the first goal of Capello’s reign but has not featured for the Three Lions for 14 months now.

Ashley Young has profited from the injuries to Lennon and Walcott to earn a recall although there is still no place in the squad for Joe Cole who is still working his way back to full fitness after a lengthy lay-off.

David Beckham was named in the initial 24-man squad but has subsequently been withdrawn after he helped L.A Galaxy through to the next round of the MLS Playoffs last night. The Galaxy now face Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Final the day before England are due to play Brazil which has lead to Beckham’s withdrawal.

Jermain Defoe is recalled in attack after missing last month’s squad with a hand injury. Sunderland’s Darren Bent’s fine early season is also rewarded as he is selected after Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole were forced out due to injury.

Gabriel Agbonlahor started England’s last outing against Belarus at Wembley but has not been selected this time despite continuing his hot run of form with another goal against Bolton on Saturday.

Once again there is no room in the squad for Michael Owen, who managed just seven minutes at Stamford Bridge as a substitute yesterday despite the absence of Dimitar Berbatov through injury.

Owen’s chances of appearing at a fourth World Cup now appear minimal and reliant on at least a couple of players ahead of him getting injured.

23-man England squad for friendly against Brazil

Goalkeepers:  Ben Foster (Manchester United), Rob Green (Joe Hart), Joe Hart (Manchester City, on loan at Birmingham City)

Defenders:  Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Matt Upson (West Ham United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

Midfielders:  Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hostpur), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Forwards:  Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

*David Beckham was named in the initial selection but has since been withdrawn from the squad due to club commitments

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