Capello ignores Wenger call on Walcott fitness
FABIO CAPELLO last night ignored the advice of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and decided against handing Theo Walcott and instant England recall.
The Arsenal youngster has missed the first six weeks of the season with a back injury but marked his return to first-team action with a goal in the 6-2 romp over Blackburn yesterday.
Capello, however, feels it is too soon to draft him into his 24-man squad for the final two World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine on Saturday and Belarus the following Wednesday.
Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe also misses out with a hand injury and is replaced by Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor, although there is no place for Ashley Young.
Capello has also handed a recall to Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson, who gets the nod over Ben Foster.
The squad is: Goalkeepers: P Robinson, R Green, D James. Defenders: A Cole, J Terry, G Johnson, W Bridge, J Lescott, W Brown, R Ferdinand, M Upson.
Midfielders: J Milner, F Lampard, D Beckham, S Gerrard, G Barry, S Wright-Phillips, M Carrick, A Lennon. Strikers: G Agbonlahor, E Heskey, P Crouch, C Cole, W Rooney.