PARKER BACK IN ENGLAND SQUAD

[Ultra]

From the BBC Sport site:

Parker recalled to England squad

Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker has won a recall to the England squad after an absence of more than two years.

Parker replaces the injured Owen Hargreaves in Steve McClaren's 24-man squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia.

Striker Wayne Rooney is available again after suspension so Darren Bent drops down to the Under-21 squad.

Ledley King also returns, but Tottenham team-mate Michael Dawson and Charlton's Luke Young miss out.

King has missed the last 10 internationals after breaking a metatarsal bone shortly before the World Cup.

He was left out of Tottenham's Uefa Cup tie against Slavia Prague because of a slight knee problem, but McClaren has deemed him fit enough for inclusion.

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher are also back after they missed the wins over Andorra and Macedonia with injury.

However, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is not fit enough to return, while McClaren has opted against a recall for Jonathan Woodgate, who has impressed since his move to Middlesbrough.

Despite injuries to Hargreaves and right winger Aaron Lennon, there is no place for former captain David Beckham.

Parker has long been tipped for an England recall, but appeared out of favour with previous manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

He was dropped to the stand-by list for the Euro 2004 squad after a brief substitute appearance against Sweden in March 2004 and was never picked again by Eriksson.

McClaren said: "Scott is having a very good run at Newcastle, he's playing well and he is a leader.

"He is a player who epitomises what we are all about - team ethic and a winning attitude.

"I spoke to Scott today. He was thrilled and delighted to have the opportunity. I'm looking forward to meeting up with him and the rest of the squad on Tuesday for two very big games for England."

England face Macedonia at Old Trafford on 7 October and travel to Zagreb to play Croatia four days later.

England squad for European Championship qualifers against Macedonia and Croatia:

Robinson (Tottenham), Foster (Man Utd), Kirkland (Liverpool); G Neville (Man Utd), P Neville (Everton), Brown (Man Utd), Terry (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Carragher (Liverpool), King (Tottenham), A Cole (Chelsea), Bridge (Chelsea); Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Jenas (Tottenham), Carrick (Man Utd), Richardson (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Parker (Newcastle), Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Liverpool), Johnson (Everton), Defoe (Spurs).

Seems a good move by McClaren.

[Maybes]

How long is Joe Cole going to be injured for?? Sensible selection from McLaren at least he is willing to experiment unlike the past swede.

[Ultra]

Joe Cole should be fit again in the next two or three weeks, not soon enough for the internationals though..

Looks like Downing will play left midfield again.

[Milky]

i would actually start parker ahead of carrick in the Macedonia game, i reckon he deserves a chance.

[lildave3]

i would actually start parker ahead of carrick in the Macedonia game, i reckon he deserves a chance.

Yeah he has been quality for Newcastle so far this season, like he was when he was at Charlton. If he hadn't moved to chelsea, he'd be ahead of Hargreaves in the pecking order right now imo

[Fez of Mahrez]

I like Parker. Watching our midfield makes you realise energy and commitment are such important attributes for the position. He'd be a decent replacement for Hargreaves in that sense.

[City_4_Life]

He deserves his chance again, He is no doubt been Newcastle's best player so far this season.

[Floating Fox]

Why is Defoe in the team <_<

[dandannieldanok]

Why is Defoe in the team <_<

Because we haven't got many better than him up front. Bent probably could have got in ahead of Defoe but I defy you to name another English striker, not in the squad, that is better than Defoe.