Ryan Shawcross And Craig Forster Called Up To England Squad

Shawcross And Forster Called Up To England Squad

Roy Hodgson has called up Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster to the England squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.

Shawcross' ascension comes at the expense of Rio Ferdinand, whose prolonged exile effectively means his England career is over.

There is also a recall for Aaron Lennon, who last played for the Three Lions in their woeful scoreless draw to Algeria at the 2010 World Cup.

Kieran Gibbs is rewarded for his excellent start to the season with Arsenal, having last featured for England at home to France in a November 2010 friendly.

While Andy Carroll, who played his first game after a month out injured for West Ham United on Monday night, makes up teh striking quartet.

Shawcross was first named in an England squad for their friendly match at home to Egypt in March 2010, but was an unused substitute.

He has since been the subject of an approach from Wales manager Chris Coleman to switch his international allegiance, however the former Manchester United academy scholar, 25 today, declined the opportunity.

Forster, involved with the national squad for the first time, has replaced Jack Butland, who will play for the Under 21s instead in their qualifiers.

England squad to face San Marino and Poland on 12 and 16 October:

GOALKEEPERS

Forster, Hart, Ruddy

DEFENDERS

Baines, Cahill, Cole, Gibbs, Jagielka, G Johnson, Lescott, Shawcross, Walker

MIDFIELDERS

Carrick, Cleverley, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gerrard, A Johnson, Lennon, Lampard, Milner, Walcott

FORWARDS

Carroll, Defoe, Rooney, Welbeck

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