Looking For the England Squad against Israel & Russia?

Steve McClaren has announced his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifying group games against Israel and Andorra. There are a host of usual suspects, McClaren has chosen to stick with a similar squad to the one that faced Spain in the friendly last month. There is one notable inclusion in the squad, David Nugent.

The Preston striker has been promoted to the senior squad from the under-21’s following the injury to Darren Bent. Nugent faces stiff competition if he is to make the starting line up and Steve McClaren needs goals if he is to get the six points that England’s qualifying campaign so desperately needs.

There will again be much debate about the midfield, especially now there is a fit again Owen Hargreaves available for selection. On suitability of position the four would be Downing, Hargreaves, Lampard and Lennon. However the England manager will probably opt for Lennon, Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, playing the Liverpool captain out in his less favoured right-sided role.

The front partnership could provide similar problems as England will be without a target man with Crouch injured, McClaren will probably pick either Defoe or Johnson to partner Wayne Rooney. Opting to keep Nugent on the bench for a second half appearance.

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers
Paul Robinson, Ben Foster, Scott Carson

Defenders
Gareth Barry, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Jonathan Woodgate, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, Ashley Cole, Phil Neville

Midfielders
Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Aaron Lennon, Stewart Downing, Owen Hargreaves, Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker

Forwards
Jermain Defoe, Andrew Johnson, Wayne Rooney, David Nugent