Hodgson names England squad for Ireland encounter
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England manager Roy Hodgson has named a 22-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies double-header against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.
Striker Andy Carroll, on loan at West Ham from Liverpool, has been handed a recall while Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is the surprise inclusion. The 23-year-old shot stopper, who has previous international experience at Under-21 level, comes in after impressive displays at the Madejski Stadium and joins Ben Foster and Joe Hart in the squad.
The Boys in Green begin a busy fortnight of international action when they face the Three Lions in London on May 29th before friendlies with Georgia and Spain come either side of the crucial World Cup qualifier against Faroe Islands.
Giovanni Trapattoni named his provisional 28-man squad for the games on Monday and will reduce it next week after the final round of Premier League fixtures.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss the end-of-season double-header as he requires surgery on a troublesome shoulder while there five Manchester United players named including unsettled striker Wayne Rooney.
Hodgson hinted at the possibility of handing the captain’s armband to Rooney in the absence of Gerrard but he is yet to reveal his skipper for the games.
The manager said Frank Lampard and Rooney were the “captains elect” although he will also speak to Ashley Cole, who is due to receive his 100th cap before the game against the Republic of Ireland.
“Lampard and Rooney are the captains elect, but I’ll speak to Ashley Cole; he’s receiving his 100th cap,” he told a press conference.
“Most players who receive their 100th cap do receive the honour of captaining the country.
“But the last time I spoke to Ashley about it he was happy to stay in the shadows. Out of courtesy I’ll speak to him as I will with Frank and Wayne when we get together.”
Goalkeepers
Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Alex McCarthy
Defenders
Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Kyle Walker
Midfielders
Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott
Forwards
Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck
