Hammers forward Ashton named in England squad

8:57am Monday 12th May 2008

WEST Ham forward Dean Ashton has been named in the England squad for this summer's two international friendlies.

The 24-year-old (pictured) was included in a provisional 31-man squad for the friendlies with the USA, at Wembley on May 27, and Trinidad and Tobago away on June 1.

Ashton's previous two England call-ups, against Greece in August 2006 and Estonia in November, were scuppered by ankle and knee injuries.

But his recall was reward for his fine recent form for the Irons, and Capello was at Upton Park yesterday to see the forward hit his 11th goal of the season in the Irons' 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

However, there was no place in the squad for Hammers keeper Robert Green, with Manchester City's Joe Hart instead getting his first senior call-up.

And Irons defender Matthew Upson, who started Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland, will miss both games through injury.

England squad: David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Man City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Man Utd), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Man Utd), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd).

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