Two Surprise Call-Ups as England Name Squad for World Cup Qualifiers Against Moldova & Ukraine

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Hodgson hands first call-ups to young pair.

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England manager Roy Hodgson has handed surprise call-ups to young pair Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley in his latest squad for World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, according to BBC Sport.

Tottenham winger Townsend, 22,  may be on the verge of establishing himself as a regular at White Hart Lane after an impressive loan spell with Queens Park Rangers last season and the possible departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.

Barkley, meanwhile, looks like becoming a regular for Everton this season, but is inexperienced at the top level having played most of his football in the Championship during loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds. He also has 5 caps for the England Under-21s.

Elsewhere, Southampton striker Rickie Lambert retains his place in the squad after a winning goal on his debut against Scotland earlier this month, and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge returns upfront after missing that game through injury.

England will be hosting Moldova at Wembley on Friday, 6th September before travelling to Ukraine four days later, and will be hoping to make up ground on current group leaders Montenegro.

The England squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Wellbeck (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

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