England manager Steve McClaren named his 23-man roster for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Andorra next week. Surprise absentees included Joey Barton and Gareth Barry, who was tipped for the left-back position given Ashley Cole's suspension for the Israel game as well as Wayne Bridge's long-term injury. However, it looks as though that the in-form Jamie Carragher will be set for an unusual role on the left, with the untouchable pairing of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry at the heart of defense. The squad welcomed back Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves after recovering from a broken leg but David Beckham, Peter Crouch and Michael Owen were ruled out through injury. Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips was snubbed by McClaren. Tottenham's Aaron Lennon is likely to the fill in the right-wing position.
England squad: Goalkeepers: Scott Carson (Charlton Athletic), Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Foster (Watford) Defenders: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Phil Neville (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough) Midfielders: Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Scott Parker (Newcastle United), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur) Forwards: Darren Bent (Charlton Athletic), Andrew Johnson (Everton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
