FABIO CAPELLO is ready to
blood the yougsters as England
tackle the United States and
Trinidad and Tobago in their
summer campaign - with Middlesbrough's
David Wheater in
the squad for the two games.
The Middlesbrough centreback
is joined by team-mate
Stewart Downing and Newcastle's
Michael Owen, while Capello's
past captains, Steven Gerrard
and Rio Ferdinand, are both included
for the friendlies on May
27 and June 1.
David Beckham and David
James are also included, but it is
the performances of the youth
brigade that are likely to be of
most interest.
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After the rushed build-up to
games against Switzerland and
France, Capello now has the luxury
of having the majority of his
squad together for an extended
period.
With the exception of nine
players otherwise engaged at the
Champions League final, Capello
will have his squad together
from May 21, meaning he will
have nearly a fortnight to assess
training and get his ideas across.
As only three days are allocated
for the get-together ahead of
August's encounter with the
Czech Republic before the real
action begins with World Cup
qualifiers against Andorra and
Croatia the following month,
Capello knows the work he does
now is vital.
So, it is perhaps no surprise
Manchester City keeper Joe Hart
and Tottenham midfielder Tom
Huddlestone are also among
those given an opportunity to impress.
The 21-year-old has only been
an Eastlands regular since the
autumn after being elevated
above Kasper Schmeichel
Capello has given no insight
into his captain against the USA,
although it would be a surprise
if John Terry was not offered the
chance to lead his country again.
England squad: David James (Portsmouth),
Joe Hart (Man City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan),
Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Man
Utd), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand
(Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson
(Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen
Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough),
Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham),
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham
(LA Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn),
Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough),
Owen Hargreaves (Man Utd),
Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard
(Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham),
Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal),
Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Gabriel Agbonlahor
(Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West
Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain
Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle),
Wayne Rooney (Man Utd).
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