Ashton named in squad

Dean Ashton has, as expected, been named in the England squad for the forthcoming fixtures against Estonia and Russia.

The Hammers hitman receives his first call-up in over a year after recently returning from the ankle injury which threatened to end his career.

However there was no such luck for goalkeeper Rob Green, who continues to be overlooked by McClaren despite proving to be the most consistent English goalkeeper in the Premier League thus far this season.

Preliminary England squad

Carson, James, Robinson; Brown, Campbell, A Cole, Ferdinand, Lescott, P Neville, Richards, Shorey, Terry; Barry, Bentley, J Cole, Downing, Gerrard, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Young; Ashton, Crouch, Defoe, Johnson, Owen, Rooney, Smith.