Lescott called up as injured Oxlade-Chamberlain drops out of England squad for Italy friendly

Aug 13, 2012 10:48:00 AM

The Manchester City defender announced his inclusion via Twitter, while the Arsenal midfielder is understood to be recovering from an ankle injury and will not feature

Joleon Lescott has been called up to the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Italy in Berne, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out through injury.

The Arsenal midfielder, who made his first England appearances this year ahead of Euro 2012, has been forced to pull out due to an ankle problem.

Manchester City defender Lescott, meanwhile, announced via Twitter: "Was happy to be woken up by my phone this morning, phone call to say I've been called up to the England squad for Wednesday's game."

Roy Hodgson’s squad, named on Friday, had an experimental flavour to it with many regular players omitted in favour of giving Ryan Bertrand, Steven Caulker and Jake Livermore their first call-ups, with Michael Carrick also selected for the first time since 2010

	ITALIAN JOB?
9/1	England are 9/1 to beat Italy 2-0 with bet365

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Striker Daniel Sturridge and goalkeeper Joe Hart went on to make late withdrawals from the team, due to toe and back injuries respectively.

That change leaves goalkeepers John Ruddy, of Norwich, who had to withdraw from Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad due to injury, and 19-year-old Birmingham youngster Jack Butland to contend for a first cap between them.

England squad for Italy friendly:

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Birmingham City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Jake Livermore (Tottenham), James Milner (Manchester City), Jack Rodwell (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

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