Capello calls up Bothroyd in new-look squad

Posted Sunday, November 14, 2010 by ESPN

Fabio Capello has named an experimental England squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly with France, handing Jay Bothroyd, Andrew Carroll, Chris Smalling and Jordan Henderson their first international call-ups.

Although Newcastle striker Carroll and Sunderland midfielder Henderson had been heavily tipped for inclusion, it is more of a shock that Cardiff striker Bothroyd and Manchester United defender Chris Smalling have been selected.

Capello has largely opted to go with youth for the first of two friendlies before England's next competitive game, against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on March 26. And that would mean a return to Cardiff for Bothroyd he remains involved.

The 28-year-old has scored 15 goals in the Championship this season and not since David Nugent - then of Preston - scored in a 3-0 win over Andorra in Barcelona in March 2007 has a Championship player been capped by England.

However, the mere fact Capello is having to dip into English football's second tier - even to a club that seems bound for the Premier League - is an indication of how weak his depth of strikers is once injuries take hold, as they have done this time around with the absences of Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora.

Carroll would certainly appear to be a better bet for the future and Capello saw the burly Newcastle man score the winner at Arsenal last weekend and was happy to select the 21-year-old despite a number of problems off the pitch.

"Everybody makes mistakes when they are young,'' said Capello. "It is very important for him to be in the seniors because we have a lot of important players, who can stay with him and speak with him about what happens outside the pitch. That is important.

"I haven't spoken to him but I talked to the FA, who have told me I can pick him. I also spoke with Stuart Pearce and he has no problems either. He is only young. He can change.'

"Carroll is a really interesting player. He is good in the air, has good movement without the ball and finds space. Technically he is very good and he is a fighter.''

Given Capello's preference to lead the attacking line with a bigger striker, Carroll has a decent chance of starting on Wednesday, where he would probably be supported by either Gabriel Agbonlahor or Steven Gerrard.

There was also joy in another part of the north-east as the progress Henderson has made with Sunderland was recognised. It would appear Capello has received positive reports from Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce about both Henderson and Smalling, who has enjoyed an impressive first few months at Old Trafford, even if being introduced as a substitute striker at Aston Villa on Saturday must have been a first.

On the day he publicly complained about the lack of recognition he has received from Capello, Richards now gets a chance to add to the 12 caps he won under Steve McClaren, even though he has lost his first-team place at Manchester City.

The same is also true of Joleon Lescott. But the former Everton star keeps his place and with Phil Jagielka also available after impressive performances in England's opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers in September, the make-up of Capello's defence on Wednesday will be interesting as Rio Ferdinand and John Terry have also been picked.

In midfield, Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere is at the head of the queue to be tested in Wednesday's match at Wembley following his impressive performances for the Gunners this season.

"Wilshere is really intelligent on the pitch, so I think he can play with the seniors," said Capello. "He needs to understand what really happens when England play at Wembley in front of 90,000 people.

``There is also a new style. Arsenal's is their school style, from the academy, with a lot of touches. He has to find out what he has to do here. In a really short time it is impossible to learn everything but it will be interesting for him to stay with us.''

England squad: Ben Foster, Robert Green, Joe Hart; Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Chris Smalling, John Terry; Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, James Milner, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young; Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jay Bothroyd, Andrew Carroll, Peter Crouch