LONDON: England manager Roy Hodgson yesterday awarded first senior call-ups to Everton youngster Ross Barkley and Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
Barkley, 19, caught the eye with a fine goal at Norwich City on the opening day of the Premier League campaign, while 22-year-old Townsend impressed during a loan spell at Queens Park Rangers last season.
“We’re giving ourselves a chance to look at players who’ve got a very bright future and who are capable of making a difference to a game, as we see them doing each week in Premier League football,” Hodgson said.
“Players like Barkley, Townsend and (Liverpool’s Raheem) Sterling can make a difference. They can be players who make a big impact and help you win. They’re there on merit, really.”
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert retains his place after scoring with his first touch on his debut in the 3-2 win over Scotland earlier this month, with Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge returning after missing that game through injury. Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster replaces Ben Foster of West Bromwich Albion, who has been ruled out for around 12 weeks with a stress fracture of a bone in his right foot.
Hodgson defended first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was at fault for Scotland’s opening goal in England’s friendly win and was also criticised for his display in Manchester City’s 3-2 loss at Cardiff City on Sunday.
England tackle Moldova at Wembley Stadium on September 6 before travelling to Kiev to play Ukraine four days later.
Hodgson’s side currently trail Montenegro by two points in European qualifying Group H, but have a game in hand.
England squad: Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic/SCO), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Manchester United). AFP
