Arsenal's teenage striker Theo Walcott earned a surprising call up for the provisional squad of the English national team announced on Monday. The 28-man squad was posted on the official website of the English FA, including five players on the standby status. England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson also opted for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch and injured strikers Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, with Tottenham's Jermaine Defoe placed on the waiting list. The 17-year-old Walcott, who has yet to start a first-team match with Arsenal, was tipped by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger to join the national team after Rooney's latest injury. Tottenham midfielder Aaron Lennon was also surprisingly chosen by the Swede after his fine form with the Spurs in the second half of the season. He was picked up at the expense of Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips. The Full Squad:
Eriksson Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Manchester City), Robert Green (Norwich). Defenders: Gary Neville (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea). Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Michael Carrick (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal). Standby list: Scott Carson (Liverpool), Luke Young (Charlton), Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace).