Fabio Capello Recalls Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon for Wembley Double

Fabio Capello named a 24-man England squad on Sunday night as England prepare to welcome Slovenia and Croatia to Wembley, the latter for a World Cup Qualifier.

Tottenham teammates Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon have both been recalled to the squad after missing out against Holland. Both scored in their club’s win against Birmingham City on Saturday.

David James is again missing through injury after missing Portsmouth’s defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, whilst Wes Brown is recalled in place of injured club teammate Rio Ferdinand.

Brown has not featured for the Three Lions in almost a year after enduring an injury-plagued 2008-09 season, his last appearance being in October 2008 in England’s 3-1 win in Belarus.

The Manchester United defender will provide back-up for Glen Johnson at right-back as well as being able to cover at centre-back in the absence of Ferdinand, although Matthew Upson is favourite to partner John Terry against Croatia.

Glen Johnson has established himself as England’s first choice right-back in Brown’s absence but was widely criticized following a poor defensive showing in last month’s friendly against Holland.

However, the full-back has been in impressive form for his new club, contributing two goals and two assists in his first four games for the Anfield side.

Aaron Lennon is recalled in place of the injured Theo Walcott, who Croatia will surely be glad not to face again after his hat-trick in Zagreb last September. Lennon will compete with David Beckham and Shaun Wright-Phillips, who each played a half in the recent friendly against Holland, for a place on the right of midfield.

Peter Crouch is also recalled but is likely to find himself on the bench with Jermain Defoe expected to get the nod to partner Wayne Rooney up front at least in the friendly with Slovenia after this second-half brace in Amsterdam.

David James missed out at the weekend through injury so Paul Robinson keeps his place in the squad. Ben Foster was forced to withdraw through injury last month but is expected to push Rob Green, who has started the last three England games, hard for a starting place against Croatia.

24-man England squad to face Slovenia and Croatia

Goalkeepers:  Ben Foster (Manchester United), Robert Green (West Ham United), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)

Defenders:  Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Matt Upson (West Ham United)

Midfielders:  Gareth Barry (Manchester City), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Forwards:  Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)