Joleon Lescott set to get England chance

Oct 6 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

JOLEON LESCOTT is in with a chance of a full England debut later this month as Steve McClaren faces a disciplinary poser.

Lescott retained his place in the squad named yesterday for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifying double header against Estonia and Russia.

The Everton defender earned his first senior call-up last month but failed to make the bench for the wins over Israel and Russia with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand filling the central defensive berths.

However, both players are only one booking away from a suspension and, with an eye on the pivotal qualifier in Moscow against Russia, McClaren is contemplating resting at least one of his first-choice centre-backs for the earlier clash with Estonia at Wembley next Saturday.

And that has opened up the possibility of a first international appearance for Lescott, who will contend with Wes Brown and Sol Campbell for a starting role.

Terry, currently playing in a protective

mask after fracturing his cheekbone, is the more likely to be rested, meaning Steven Gerrard could lead his country out at Wembley.

Gerrard is one of only three specialised central midfielders in McClaren’s squad, Gareth Barry and the injured Frank Lampard the others, with Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves out.

Jermaine Jenas, Steve Sidwell and Nigel Reo-Coker have been put on standby, although McClaren could also call upon the versatility of Everton’s Phil Neville.

Michael Owen has been promised a starting spot for England against Estonia, but McClaren maintains no risks will be taken with the Newcastle forward.

“If he is fit, he will play,” said McClaren. “Two or three weeks ago, it seemed impossible but the situation is Michael’s operation went well, he has been training with his physio all week and is training with Newcastle today and tomorrow. They will assess him and it is up to them what they do with him. Hopefully he comes through and hopefully he plays on Sunday but even if he doesn’t he will join us on Tuesday.”

Also included was West Ham’s Dean Ashton, who is finally set to put 14 months of misery behind him on the England front.

England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia at Wembley on October 13 and Russia in Moscow on October 17: Robinson (Tottenham), James (Portsmouth), Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Aston Villa), Richards (Man City), Brown (Man Utd), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Terry (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), P Neville (Everton), Campbell (Portsmouth), Lescott (Everton), Shorey (Reading), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Aston Villa), J Cole (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lampard (Chelsea), Young (Aston Villa), Bentley (Blackburn), Owen (Newcastle), Rooney (Man Utd), Smith (Newcastle), Ashton (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Everton), Crouch (Liverpool)