The England thread

[Lineker]

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been called into the England squad for Wednesday's friendly against France.

Cole will act as cover for Andy Carroll and Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor who suffered unspecified injuries playing for their clubs on Saturday.

Newcastle's Carroll was one of four new picks for Fabio Capello's squad, along with Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd.

Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson and Manchester United defender Chris Smalling were the other newcomers.

Cole has suffered a frustrating season at club level for the Premier League's bottom club West Ham, starting only eight of their 13 league games and scoring once, while on Saturday he came on as a 71st minute substitute against Blackpool.

The 27-year-old, who won the last of his seven England caps as a second-half substitute against Egypt in March, becomes the tenth change made by Capello to the squad initially announced for last month's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.

Capello's squad announcement on Saturday included a call for Manchester City full-back Micah Richards, a player who had not featured in any of the Italian's previous squads while Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs were also named.

Arguably the most notable omission from the initial squad was Bolton striker Kevin Davies, who could have been forgiven for feeling hard done by after scoring twice in front of Capello in his club's recent 4-2 win over Tottenham.

Liverpool duo Joe Cole and Glen Johnson were overlooked, although the latter had only recently recovered from a groin injury.

Bothroyd was a surprise inclusion, but should he feature in a team where the emphasis appears to be firmly on youth he would become the first Championship player to receive a cap since David Nugent, then of Preston, scored in a 3-0 win over Andorra in Barcelona in March 2007.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones was delighted with the call-up for his striker, who has previously played for Coventry, Charlton and Wolves, and also had a short spell in Italy with Perugia, and has already bagged 15 goals this season.

"It's a lift for Jay, it's a lift for the whole club - myself and the staff," Jones told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek. "I don't think he was expecting it. We hoped it would happen because he has been in good form.

"He's not an out-and-out big target man. He can drift, he's got good ability, good pace."

A double at Scunthorpe on Saturday means Bothroyd, who is the first Cardiff City player to receive the England nod in the club's 111-year history, has now scored in seven consecutive games for the Bluebirds.

Even so, his case has undoubtedly been helped by the absence through injury of fellow strikers Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora.

"There are some good players down in the Championship and it would be a shame if they are overlooked because of the division they are playing in," said Jones, adding that his forward was not always the easiest to get along with.

"We're hoping he starts or he gets some part of the game because we do believe that he has earned it.

"He's what we call high maintenance. But he is a lovely lad, he wants to do well. Most footballers are high maintenance.

"Sometimes players get a reputation with other clubs. You only find out when you work with them and he is a genuine and honest player."

Less surprising is the inclusion of Carroll, which is likely to be warmly received by Newcastle manager Chris Hughton.

"It would be a very proud moment for this football club," said Hughton on Saturday when asked about the possibility of Carroll's selection.

"For a young man to have the opportunity to represent his country, particularly with the amount of quality strikers there are around, then it would be a very proud day for him and the club."

Hughton's sentiments are likely to be echoed by Sunderland's Steve Bruce and Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, respectively the managers of Henderson and Smalling at club level.

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has apparently provided Capello with favourable reports about both players.

England squad for the international friendly against France at Wembley on Wednesday, November 17:

Foster (Birmingham), Hart (Man City), Green (West Ham); Gibbs (Arsenal), Cole (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man City), Richards (Man City), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Smalling (Man Utd); Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), Young (Aston Villa), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Man City), Johnson (Man City), Milner (Man City), Henderson (Sunderland); Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Bothroyd (Cardiff), Carroll (Newcastle), Crouch (Tottenham), Cole (West Ham).

[Timmoru Suzuki]

So, which member of Fabio Capello's family did Kevin Davies stab to death to get over-looked for Carlton Cole?

[Blue Rosler]

I just think it's more likely that Carlton Cole has photos like this.

[Lineker]

Leaders of England's 2018 World Cup bid have written to Fifa distancing themselves from corruption allegations made against football's world governing body by the British media.

England officials have also pleaded with Fifa's executive committee to base its decision on the merits of their bid.

The letter, signed by chairman Geoff Thompson and international president David Dein, is the latest attempt to put England's campaign back on track ahead of the vote on 2 December.

England are facing defeat after a backlash from Fifa members in response to an investigation by the Sunday Times into alleged corruption in the bidding process.

Two executive committee members, Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Reynald Temarii of Tahiti, face a Fifa ethics committee hearing this week into the newspaper's claims that they were willing to offer their support in return for money for football projects.

Both men have denied any wrongdoing and will fight the allegations during the three-day hearing.

England 2018 also fear they could be damaged by an upcoming BBC Panorama investigation into Fifa, due to be screened on 29 November - only three days before the vote.

Thompson and Dein wrote: "In recent weeks, the role of the British media and its relationship with both Fifa as an organisation and the individual members of the Fifa Executive Committee has come under the spotlight and there has been significant speculation as to the effect that this might have on our bid.

"It has been a difficult time for Fifa and as a member of the football family we naturally feel solidarity with you and your colleagues.

"It is now public knowledge that we have made representations to the BBC regarding a forthcoming documentary they are planning. We are alerting you to fact that the programme appears in part to be raking over allegations some of which are up to 10-years-old and have already been formally dealt with by Fifa and the Swiss courts.

"We hope England's bid will not be judged negatively due to the activities of individual media organisations, regardless of one's view of their conduct. We hope you appreciate that we have no control over the British media."

In writing the letter, England 2018 hope to have countered any suggestions that they may have somehow colluded with the Sunday Times or BBC investigations. They also hope to have demonstrated to the Fifa members that they are part of the football family.

While some may have questioned the sympathy shown to the Fifa members by Thompson and Dein, they have been careful not to overtly criticise the British media. The bid leaders have also made it clear that they have no control over the media.

This is the crucial point they have sought to get across. They believe it would be extremely unfair to judge England's bid on the basis of the way the country's media operates.

It is a sign of how badly the bid team believe they have been damaged by events of the last month that a letter like this has been sent to Fifa.

It is understood Dein was encouraged to do it following a meeting with the Fifa president Sepp Blatter in Zurich last week.

England face coming third behind Russia and a joint bid from Spain and Portugal unless they can mount a dramatic fightback.

This week promises to be a critical with the ethics committee due to publish its findings on Amadu and Temarii on Wednesday. The committee will also rule on claims that Spain and Portugal have agreed a voting alliance with Qatar, who are bidding for the 2022 World Cup finals.

Unusually, Fifa has called an emergency executive committee meeting for Friday to discuss the findings.

Fifa's inspection report on each of the bids has also been sent out and will be published this week with England expected to be given a low risk rating.

If Fifa's ethics committee gives weight to the Sunday Times claims by getting tough with the two members currently suspended and there is a good response to the letter and the inspection report, then England may feel they can still get back into the race.

Chelsea pair John Terry and Ashley Cole and Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor have all pulled out of England's friendly against France on Wednesday.

Bolton's Gary Cahill, Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock and West Ham's Carlton Cole have been called in.

Terry missed his side's shock 3-0 home defeat by Sunderland on Sunday with lower back and hamstring problems.

Ashley Cole picked up a knock in the match while Agbonlahor was injured in Villa's game against Manchester United.

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll reported to England's team hotel on Sunday evening but his hopes of playing are in the balance after he picked up a groin injury in his club's 0-0 draw with Fulham on Saturday.

Carroll is due to train with the rest of the squad at Arsenal's London Colney complex on Monday morning.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said after the Sunderland loss that Terry would miss Wednesday's game but he could return at Birmingham on Saturday.

"Terry trained yesterday but, at the end of the training session, he had pain on his nerve in his hamstring and we had the test this morning," he said.

"He was not able to play today. I don't think he will be able to play for the national team. He is out of the squad.

"But I think he can play the next game. It is an injury, but he can control it. He has controlled it for 12 games.

"He's doing good prevention, good treatment. Everything will be okay for him."

In Terry's absence, Everton's Phil Jagielka, who impressed when starting for England in matches against Bulgaria and Switzerland in September, is likely to partner captain Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the defence.

Defenders Cahill and Warnock, who have been capped once each, come in for Terry and Chelsea team-mate Cole.

Cahill, 24, made his debut in the 4-0 Euro 2010 qualifier defeat of Bulgaria in September.

Warnock's only England appearance was as a substitute for Wayne Bridge in a 3-0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.

Newcastle's Carroll was one of four new picks for Fabio Capello's squad, along with Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd, Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, who was instrumental as the Black Cats won at Chelsea.

Capello has indicated he is likely to blood some of the uncapped players on Wednesday.

"We will play with some new players; [Andy] Carroll will be one of these. I hope he will be fit after the weekend's game. Some [other] new players will play during this game," he told the FA's official website.

Carlton Cole has suffered a frustrating season at club level for the Premier League's bottom club West Ham, starting only eight of their 13 league games and scoring once, while on Saturday he came on as a 71st minute substitute against Blackpool.

The 27-year-old won the last of his seven England caps as a second-half substitute against Egypt in March

Capello's squad announcement on Saturday included a call for Manchester City full-back Micah Richards, a player who had not featured in any of the Italian's previous squads while Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs were also named.

Arguably the most notable omission from the initial squad was Bolton striker Kevin Davies, who could have been forgiven for feeling hard done by after scoring twice in front of Capello in his club's recent 4-2 win over Tottenham.

Liverpool duo Joe Cole and Glen Johnson were overlooked, although the latter had only recently recovered from a groin injury.

Bothroyd was a surprise inclusion, but should he feature in a team where the emphasis appears to be firmly on youth he would become the first Championship player to receive a cap since David Nugent, then of Preston, scored in a 3-0 win over Andorra in Barcelona in March 2007.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones was delighted with the call-up for his striker, who has previously played for Coventry, Charlton and Wolves, and also had a short spell in Italy with Perugia, and has already bagged 15 goals this season.

"It's a lift for Jay, it's a lift for the whole club - myself and the staff," Jones told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek. "I don't think he was expecting it. We hoped it would happen because he has been in good form.

"He's not an out-and-out big target man. He can drift, he's got good ability, good pace."

A double at Scunthorpe on Saturday means Bothroyd, who is the first Cardiff City player to receive the England nod in the club's 111-year history, has now scored in seven consecutive games for the Bluebirds.

Even so, his case has undoubtedly been helped by the absence through injury of fellow strikers Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora.

"There are some good players down in the Championship and it would be a shame if they are overlooked because of the division they are playing in," said Jones, adding that his forward was not always the easiest to get along with.

"We're hoping he starts or he gets some part of the game because we do believe that he has earned it.

"He's what we call high maintenance. But he is a lovely lad, he wants to do well. Most footballers are high maintenance.

"Sometimes players get a reputation with other clubs. You only find out when you work with them and he is a genuine and honest player."

Less surprising is the inclusion of Carroll, which is likely to be warmly received by Newcastle manager Chris Hughton.

"It would be a very proud moment for this football club," said Hughton on Saturday when asked about the possibility of Carroll's selection.

"For a young man to have the opportunity to represent his country, particularly with the amount of quality strikers there are around, then it would be a very proud day for him and the club."

Hughton's sentiments are likely to be echoed by Sunderland's Steve Bruce and Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, respectively the managers of Henderson and Smalling at club level.

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has reportedly provided Capello with favourable reports about both players.

England squad for the international friendly against France at Wembley on Wednesday, November 17:

Foster (Birmingham), Hart (Man City), Green (West Ham); Cahill (Bolton), Gibbs (Arsenal), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man City), Richards (Man City), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Smalling (Man Utd) Warnock (Aston Villa); Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), Young (Aston Villa), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Man City), Johnson (Man City), Milner (Man City), Henderson (Sunderland); Bothroyd (Cardiff), Carroll (Newcastle), Crouch (Tottenham), Cole (West Ham).

[Pesci]

Jay Bothroyd credits his spell at Perugia with turning his career around, according to the Metro. Bit strange that since he followed it up with 1 goal in 11 games for Blackburn and 2 goals in 18 games for Charlton.

[Crybaby Bunting]

Carroll to start

Now lets watch him get injured before the first half is over, putting him out for 6-10 weeks

[The Future]

Gibbs and Henderson to start as well, this should be interesting !

[Colly]

Carroll possibly not to start according to Sky Sports News. I'm torn, as it gave me a reason to watch an England friendly for the first time in years, but a fit Andy Carroll for Saturday is huuuuugely more important. Sit him on the bench.

[Pesci]

I hope Henderson starts since I haven't really seen much of him so far. And Carroll too I guess. I don't really caree who else starts. Oh, but Jags better be.

[hackerjack]

Bothroyd's been one of the main reasons is the only reason Cardiff are where they are at the moment - and if England really are going to try out new players, a meaningless friendly international (to most already experienced England players) is the place to give these guys a shot.

There fixed it

In all seriousness, even as a Jack I have to say that Bothroyd is a better player than fair number of strikers brought up from the championship (Beckford, Walters etc.). I'd probably put him among the top 10-12 English strikers at present. 20 years ago a player like him would be a regular for a mid-table prem side.

Edited November 17, 2010 by hackerjack

[Baddar]

Nowadays it seems, players from the Championship/smaller clubs get bought by PL clubs only to be put on the bench most of the time - it's why Bothroyd is better off at Cardiff, Chopra's better off at Cardiff and at the time, so was Ledley.

Team for tonight;

1908: England team v France

Foster; Jagielka, Ferdinand ©, Lescott, Gibbs; Henderson, Barry; Walcott, Gerrard, Milner; Carroll

I like the look of the side. A lot. The friendly international line-up should look a lot like that all of the time, no matter who the opposition is. There's no point in giving players their debut in a qualifier because if anything goes wrong, the press will be like flies around shit, as always.

[Pesci]

Don't like the look of the back 5 (including Barry in that) but the attack should be worth watching. Hopefully Foster plays well too.

[Baddar]

I've always really liked Foster. I was a big fan of his when he was at United - sadly, he always seemed to make a big mistake just when things had started to look up for him.

...like inexplicably running out of his goal to try and rob Tevez of the ball, gifting Barry a tap in. Facepalm. But yeah, I hope he has a good game.

[Colly]

Yes Gareth Southgate, leave Carroll out because playing him is a reward for his bad behaviour, not a reward for being the top English scorer in the Premiership. Granted, thats level with midfield team-mate Kevin Nolan, and 4 ahead of the next fit English striker... Shola Ameobi.

Downings in the middle of that somewhere too, surely deserved a call-up based on Capellos form criteria?

[brenchill]

God they are all over us.

Gourcouff is looking like a handful.

[MGW]

The big difference here is the French are actually good. England look well off the pace

[Timmoru Suzuki]

First half we were abysmal and fell into the classic English trap of, 'oh look, a large striker 60 yards away! *pass*'

Second half has been a little better so far, but still far from great. France have often looked inventive and fluid on the ball. We've looked English.

[badotori]

Peter Crouch, once again, proving that he's fucking awesome - what a finish.

[Jimmy]

Carrol showed some promise.

[brenchill]

I think the sad reality is that this really is the future for English football. In three to four years time we will all be harping on about the days when we had the likes of Lampard, Gerrard, Ferdinand, Terry and Beckham in the team and when we use to qualify for major tournaments.