Scott Carson earns England recall for Euro 2012 qualifiers
In the end, Fabio Capello sprang few surprises ahead of England’s first two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Speculation was rife that Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes would be lured out of retirement. There were also murmurs that Everton’s Spaniard Mikel Arteta would be handed a controversial call-up.
But when the under-pressure England boss announced his 24-man squad late last night, the only surprise name on the list was that of Scott Carson – the goalkeeper who made that infamous blunder against Croatia in November 2007, which ensured England would miss out on a place at the 2008 European Championships.
Since then, West Brom’s number one keeper has been cast into the international wilderness. Although Joe Hart will be Capello’s first choice, and Ben Foster his deputy, Carson’s recall means that he climbs above England’s number one goalkeeper from the 2010 World Cup finals, West Ham’s Rob Green, who failed to make the squad.
However, Fulham’s young goalkeeper, David Stockdale, who has impressed at Craven Cottage this season was expected to make the cut before he was ruled out with an ankle injury. With former captain John Terry out injured, Manchester City centre-back Joleon Lescott has also returned to the international fold.
Meanwhile, Matthew Upson, Michael Carrick, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe all return after being left out of England’s 2-1 friendly win over Hungary three weeks ago.
Perhaps the most surprising omission was Liverpool’s new signing Joe Cole. The former Chelsea star was left out of England’s last match against the Hungarians, and has failed to win back his place in Capello’s squad for the forthcoming qualifiers.
It appears that like his Italian compatriot, Carlo Ancelotti, Capello has reservations over Cole’s on-field intelligence. Although the England manager does have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to wingers.
Theo Walcott retains his place for England’s next two matches after a blistering start to the new campaign with Arsenal. Manchester City duo James Milner and Adam Johnson, both of whom have begun the new season in fine form, are also available.
Aston Villa’s Ashley Young is also an option for Capello, but the pragmatic Italian has opted to leave Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon out of his 24-man squad.
In defence, Spurs centre-back Ledley King has not been included, but his teammate Michael Dawson has. Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Everton’s Phil Jagielka aren’t likely start against Bulgaria, but have both made the cut. And Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs, who impressed against Hungary, will provide useful cover for Chelsea’s Ashley Cole.
In attack, Sunderland’s Darren Bent has got off to another eye-catching start with the Black Cats and may get his chance to shine in the next two matches while Defoe, who was scheduled to have surgery on a niggling groin injury, will now be available for both matches after cancelling the operation.
And despite poor start to the Premier League campaign, West Ham’s Carlton Cole is one of the five strikers in Capello’s squad. England play Bulgaria on Friday night at Wembley, before taking on Switzerland in Basel on Tuesday evening.
And the Three Lions will be under intense pressure to deliver a convincing performance in both matches to make amends for not only the poor World Cup, but also the shambolic Euro 2008 qualification campaign.
Capello’s 24-man squad for England’s matches against Bulgaria and Switzerland:
Goalkeepers: Scott Carson (West Brom), Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Manchester City).
Defenders: Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), James Milner (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
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