In association with:

Hargreaves is recalled by England

Adjust font size:

LONDON, England -- England coach Steve McClaren welcomed back Owen Hargreaves and Aaron Lennon to his squad on Friday for their crunch Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel and kept faith with Kieron Dyer.

Hargreaves is back, after breaking a leg in September, while winger Lennon also returns from injury for the game at Ramat Gan on March 24 and another Group E qualifier four days later against Andorra in Barcelona.

Lennon is expected to recover from a recent knee problem to make his first England start after seven substitute appearances.

Hargreaves, who impressed as a holding midfielder at the 2006 World Cup, will play behind Frank Lampard, flanked by Steven Gerrard on his right and Lennon on the left.

There is no room though for midfielder Joey Barton, a late substitute on his debut in the 1-0 friendly defeat by Spain last month, or winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who started that game.

Dyer keeps his squad place after a promising display against the Spanish.

There could be a change up front to McClaren's 23-man squad as it includes Charlton Athletic's Darren Bent, who is expected to miss this weekend's game with Newcastle United after aggravating a knee injury.

David Nugent, who plays in the Championship with Preston North End and has been named in England's Under-21 squad, could be drafted in as cover if Bent pulls out.

Strikers Wayne Rooney and Andy Johnson are expected to start, with Jermain Defoe also available. Lanky forward Peter Crouch is sidelined after suffering a facial injury.

Changes will have to be made at left back as Ashley Cole is suspended for the Israel game but will return for Andorra, with Jamie Carragher expected to deputize.

Gary Neville, captain John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, who has shaken off a rib injury, are all fit to play at the back, while Paul Robinson will return to the side in goal after Ben Foster was given his chance against Spain.

Sweating

McClaren will be sweating on the fitness of all his players in the days ahead, as the weekend Premier League action is followed by two FA Cup quarterfinal replays on Monday.

A dozen of his squad will be involved in those ties, with Manchester United hosting Middlesbrough and a London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

England are under pressure to at least avoid another defeat in Israel, having slipped to third in their group after a 2-0 loss in Croatia and a 0-0 draw at home to Macedonia.

McClaren, who has faced a skeptical British press in recent months, has called on his players to show a "positive aggressive nature" in the game.

After four matches, Croatia lead the group with 10 points and Russia are second on eight. England lie third on seven points and are only ahead of Macedonia, who have played a game more, and Israel on goal difference.