Zamora and Stockdale Call Up - BBC

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Fulham's Zamora and Stockdale named in England squad




Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has been called up for the England squad to face Switzerland in the Euro 2012 qualifier on 4 June at Wembley.

Zamora is joined by Fulham team-mate David Stockdale, who is one of three keepers alongside Manchester City's Joe Hart and West Brom's Scott Carson.

Rio Ferdinand is also recalled to the squad for the first time this year.

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, left out of the Under-21s squad, is included while striker Wayne Rooney is suspended.

The Manchester United star collected a yellow card in England's 2-0 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium in March, his second of the qualifying campaign, forcing England boss Fabio Capello to reassess his attacking options against Switzerland.

Liverpool's record £35m signing Andy Carroll has been ruled out through injury, handing Zamora, who made his first international appearance in August last year, another opportunity to impress the Italian.

The 30-year-old missed out on last year's provisional World Cup squad because of an Achilles injury but he suffered another setback in September, sustaining a broken leg and ankle ligament damage during a 2-1 victory against Wolves.

His goal against Arsenal in Sunday's 2-2 draw on the final day of the Premier League season was his fourth in 11 matches since returning to full fitness.


Capello has faced a goalkeeping crisis for the Euro 2012 qualifier

However, Capello has faced a greater quandary with his goalkeeping options following Ben Foster's decision to take an indefinite break from international football earlier this month.

The Birmingham keeper had been Hart's number two, but the 28-year-old cited "niggling injuries" as the main reason for his hiatus.

And West Ham's Robert Green, who had hinted at taking a break from international football, has been overlooked in favour of Carson and Stockdale, who was first summoned to the England squad for the friendly against Denmark in February.

The 25-year-old has made 10 appearances for Fulham this season, although his last game for Mark Hughes' side was the 4-0 FA Cup victory over Spurs at the end of January.

Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Ferdinand earns his first call-up since he lost the captaincy to John Terry in March.

The 32-year-old is set to partner Terry in place of Tottenham's Michael Dawson, who has been surprisingly left out by Capello.

Michael Carrick also earns a call-up, the first time he has been involved with the senior squad since last year's World Cup.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott, who was not selected for the Wales squad, is also recalled.

England are top of Group G in their Euro 2012 qualifying standings with 10 points, ahead of Montenegro on goal difference.

Switzerland trail Capello's side by six points and have lost two of their four qualifying matches.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Scott Carson, Joe Hart, David Stockdale;
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker;
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young;
Strikers: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora.