The Everton defender has been recalled to the international squad for England’s opening two World Cup qualifiers.
The former Wolves man, who has struggled to recapture the form in the opening games of the season that twice earned him Goodison Player of the year awards, was last involved for the friendly with France in March, but will now join up as part of the 23-man squad to take on Andorra in Barcelona and Croatia in Zagreb.
The biggest surprise sprung by Capello was his choice of Jimmy Bullard.
The 29-year-old has barely earned a mention as a potential candidate for the squad, even after the loss of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who joined Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick on the injured list.
But Bullard has found favour following an excellent start to the season, following his influential role in keeping Fulham up last term.
Capello is presumably banking on Bullard’s experience and chirpy character.
England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia on September 6 and September 10: Robinson (Blackburn), James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham); LESCOTT (EVERTON), Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Johnson (Portsmouth), Upson (West Ham); Barry (Aston Villa), J Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Bullard (Fulham), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Downing (Middlesbrough), Bentley (Tottenham), Jenas (Tottenham); Walcott (Arsenal), Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Portsmouth), Heskey (Wigan).
