England Name Squad To Face Ghana

England manager Fabio Capello gave Wolverhampton winger Matt Jarvis his first call-up for the national for the friendly against Ghana on March 29.

With fellow wide players Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson missing out because of injury, Jarvis was named in a squad of 26, headed by Chelsea center back John Terry as the team’s newly-reappointed captain.

Three players returned to the squad after missing last month’s friendly victory over Denmark – Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon and Everton defender Phil Jagielka.

Carroll, who made an impressive international debut in the defeat to France in November and is strongly admired by Capello, has recovered from a thigh injury to start the

last two matches for Liverpool, which he joined from Newcastle for £35m on Jan. 31. Lennon was recalled for the first time since October, when England drew against Group G leader Montenegro – which is three points clear of Capello’s side having played a game more.

With Rio Ferdinand, who was stripped of the permanent captaincy by Capello in a controversial move, currently out of action owing to a calf injury, Jagielka will be

competing with Michael Dawson, Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill for a place alongside Terry in central defense.

Pacy right back Kyle Walker, who has starred in his loan spell at Aston Villa from Premier League rival Tottenham, kept his place in the squad and will act as cover to Glen

Johnson.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard (groin) was another key player ruled out for the double header.

Capello had previously included Jarvis in enlarged provisional squads but the winger had never made the cut.

However, his consistent performances on the left flank for Wolves, an unfashionable central England club that is battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, has kept him in the Italian coach’s thoughts.

Jarvis scored Wolves’ goal in the 1-0 win against Villa on Saturday and is bidding to become the club’s first player to turn out for England since striker Steve Bull in 1990.

Walcott is sidelined with an ankle injury while Johnson wasn’t considered by Capello having only recently returned to action for Manchester City after six weeks out with ankle trouble.

England is unbeaten after three Euro 2012 qualifiers, with convincing wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland preceding the disappointing home draw to Montenegro.

Wales is yet to pick up a point after three matches going into next weekend’s game at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

England will host Ghana at Wembley.

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Birmingham), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea, capt), Kyle Walker (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Matt Jarvis (Wolves), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (West Ham), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Strikers: Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).