England manager Fabio Capello has given Tottenham central defender Ledley King a shock call up to the national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia (March 28) and Ukraine (April 1).
King, whose last appearance for England came nearly two years ago in June 2007, has had his career hampered by a troublesome knee injury that allows him to play only once a week.
Aston Villa’s young pair of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young however lose their spots. They were part of the team that faced Spain in Seville last month.
Former captain David Beckham is the only player from a non English club in the squad.
England squad for qualifiers against Slovakia and Ukraine
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Ben Foster (Manchester United)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Beckham (AC Milan), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).
Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
By club:- ( Distribution of England players according to their respective clubs)
Manchester United-4
Portsmouth-3
West Ham -3
Everton-3
Chelsea-3
Tottenham Hotspur-2
Aston Villa -2
Middlesbrough-1
AC Milan-1
Manchester City-1
Liverpool-1