WestHamFirm

Peter Parka · Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:56 am England V Switzerland

Defoe called up to England squad
England v Switzerland
Date: Wednesday, 6 February
Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Venue: Wembley Stadium
BBC Coverage: Live on BBC One, Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website

Jermain Defoe has been called into the England squad to face Switzerland on Wednesday as cover for injured striker Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The Aston Villa striker injured his hamstring during the first half of Sunday's 2-1 loss to Fulham.

"I'd like him to join up with the England squad if our and their medical departments agree," Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club website.

"That would be nice for him but there's no way he can play."

Defoe, who had been left out of the initial 30-man party, scored on his Portsmouth debut against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Football Association has not yet confirmed that Agbonlahor, who was in the squad for the first time, is definitely out.

But his manager clearly feels the injury is serious enough to scupper his chances.

"It is quite sore at the moment and he went out just after the break to try and run it off and felt it so we didn't take any chances," O'Neill said.

England's squad to play Switzerland:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham on loan at Portsmouth)

Story from BBC SPORT:

So do you see the changes ringing in this fresh start? Personally I'm mystified and pissed off as to why Green hasn't even made the squad! :evil:

Sam1 · Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:04 pm

Well done to Upson, well deserved but i'm still mistified as to why Hreen isn;t in the squad.

Sam1 · Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:22 pm

England v Switzerland
Date: Wednesday, 6 February
Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Venue: Wembley Stadium
BBC Coverage: Live on BBC One, Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website
New England manager Fabio Capello has made Steven Gerrard his captain for Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland, his first match in charge.

The Liverpool midfielder steps into the role until Capello has had more time to decide on a permanent skipper, with previous incumbent John Terry injured.

Capello said: "Gerrard is important because he can pass on things, transmit things and inspire the players.

"But I will not name a permanent captain before the Andorra match."

News conference: England coach Fabio Capello
News conference: England's Steven Gerrard
News conference: England's Rio Ferdinand

Andorra are England's first opponents in their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign on 6 September.

That gives Capello plenty of time to experiment with different captains should he wish.

Capello, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, revealed that he told his players of the decision before announcing it to the media.

And he added that he plans to inform the players of his team selection for Wednesday at the hotel before they leave for the match.

606: DEBATE
Can Capello inspire England's players?

Regarding his decision not to select David Beckham for the squad, Capello said: "The most important thing is to talk about the players who will play tomorrow not the ones who will not play."

Reports had suggested that Capello had banned players from using their mobiles, called them by their last names and is also keen to discourage the presence of wives and girlfriends.

Capello confirmed that he has laid down some rules to his squad and expects them not to be broken.

He said: "We need to create a way of working, and that's why I felt the need to set some rules.

"For example, we will all eat together, leave the table together - it is all about respecting each other. And being punctual is key.

"We all have a role to play - they are the players and I am the manager."

The Italian stressed that only 38% of players in the Premier League are available to him while his Spanish counterpart has 61% of players in the Primera Liga to choose from.

Capello was speaking through an interpreter at the news conference and was asked by one reporter, who asked his question in Italian, to answer in English.

However, Capello brushed it aside, saying: "I will speak English with you when I can be sure that I know all the right words, because you are very good at twisting things and I am very careful.

"I can communicate with the players much more easily - I am happy with my English with them."

BBC Sport

One of the better choices but he better show the commitement to performing well and realise it is an onour to hold the countries armband.

Peter Parka · Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:42 pm

Upson hasn't had much to do yet but has looked pretty solid, good chance on goal he had, wait a minute Jenas!!! Goal!!! :D

Sam1 · Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:50 pm

Good half but we need patience. Upson, without being bias, has done his defensive duties realy well.

Peter Parka · Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:19 pm

Bollocks! That was a blatent foul on Cole for a penalty! Denied and then they score! :evil:

Peter Parka · Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:21 pm

Yes!!! SWP!!! Get in!!! :D

Peter Parka · Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:54 pm

Well quite happy with this. We looked confident. :D

Sam1 · Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:49 am

Yeah good performance all roun dfrom the team. Upson and Ferdinand looked comfortbale together (other than ferdinand caught sleeping for the goal), Bentley done well and is one who will really improve for the future, Rooney ran his heart out and was brilliant, man of the match in my opinion. Overall, godd performance but we can't get carried away as at times we didn't pass well to each other.

Chigwell Hammer 4Life · Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:42 am

I thought upson was a very solid defender , well played 8)

ferrit · Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:55 pm

It was ok nothing to much to get over excited about though :cry: