England manager Fabio Capello has handed a surprise first call-up to Everton’s Leighton Baines for the double header against Slovakia and Ukraine. The left back’s good run of form ensures that he is part of a 24-man squad that also sees an international return for Tottenham’s Ledley King.
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster and West Ham striker Carlton Cole are also included for what could be their secon caps, while Aaron Lennon also makes a move from the Under-21s to the Seniors after some good performances for Spurs.
England face Slovakia in a friendly on Saturday March 28th before playing Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on April 1st.
England squad in full:
Foster (Man Utd), Green (West Ham), James (Portsmouth); Baines (Everton), A Cole (Chelsea) Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), Johnson (Portsmouth), King (Tottenham), Lescott (Everton), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham); Barry (Aston Villa), Beckham (Milan), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Wright-Phillips (Man City); C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Portsmouth), Heskey (Aston Villa), Rooney (Man Utd).
Meanwhille in the Premier League, Liverpool have surged back into the title race with a 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa. This, along with Man U (0-2 v Fulham), and Chelsea (0-1 against Tottenham), leaves the gap at the top at just one point.
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