Fabio Capello has handed Daniel Sturridge and Jack
Rodwell their first England call-ups for the upcoming friendlies
against Spain and Sweden.
Sturridge has enjoyed a successful 2011, spending time on loan
at Bolton last season before forcing his way into the first-team
reckoning at Chelsea, and Capello has been impressed by his
development.
"He's an interesting player and a player who scores goals," Capello
said. "I saw him play right wing, left wing and centre forward. He
has improved a lot."
Having booked England's place at Euro 2012, Capello is keen to
explore alternative options for the finals, and Gabriel Agbonlahor
and Bobby Zamora are among the other players looking to make an
impression.
Capello, as he had indicated on Saturday, has included John Terry
despite the current allegations against him, while Wayne Rooney -
facing a three-match ban at the finals - and Rio Ferdinand are left
out.
Ashley Young is another absentee through injury while Joleon
Lescott returns and Glen Johnson comes in at the expense of Micah
Richards. Writing on his Twitter account, Richards said: "Well well
well!!!! Disappointed is an understatement!!"
England take on Spain on November 12 and Sweden on November 15.
Both matches take place at Wembley.
England squad to face Spain and Sweden: Hart (Man
City), Carson (Bursaspor), Stockdale (Ipswich); G Johnson
(Liverpool), Jones (Man Utd), Cahill (Bolton), Terry (Chelsea),
Cole (Chelsea), Baines (Everton), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man
City), Walker (Tottenham); Lampard (Chelsea), Rodwell (Everton),
Downing (Liverpool), Barry (Man City), A Johnson (Man City), Milner
(Man City), Parker (Tottenham), Walcott (Arsenal); Bent (Aston
Villa), Sturridge (Chelsea), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Zamora
(Fulham), Welbeck (Man Utd).