Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has earned his first ever call-up to England for the friendly game against Spain on Wednesday at the Old Trafford. The 24-year-old midfielder's impressive performances for City this season led to his inclusion despite his criticism of England's midfield duo Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. Barton claimed that Lampard and Gerrard couldn't cope with each other during the World Cup and thus were below-par. Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate, who is on loan from Real Madrid, has been also recalled after finally overcoming his injury problems. Bayern Munich midfielder and Manchester United target Owen Hargreaves is included after recovering from his broken leg. Chelsea defender Ashley Cole wasn't named after sustaining a serious knee injury against Blackburn but his teammate John Terry should be available as he recovered from a back injury.
Hargreaves included England squad: Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic), Ben Foster (Manchester United, on loan to Watford). Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Neville (Everton), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough on loan from Real Madrid). Midfielders: Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Scott Parker (Newcastle United), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Joey Barton (Manchester City). Strikers: Andy Johnson (Everton), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur).