World Cup

Wilshere Back In England Squad For Sweden Friendly

Jack Wilshere has been recalled to the England squad for next week’s friendly against Sweden, despite just only recently made his Arsenal first team return after being out injured for more than a year.

England boss Roy Hodgson also called up Liverpool starlets Raheem Sterling and Jonjo Shelvey, while giving a first call up for Everton midfielder Leon Osman.

The Sweden match will be a memorable one for England captain Steven Gerrard, who will become just the sixth England player to earn his 100th international cap.

The squad features 10 changes from the squad he used for the recent World Cup qualifiers as Joleon Lescott, Adam Johnson, James Milner, Andy Carroll, Kieran Gibbs, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jermain Defoe are all dropped.

The surprise for me in looking over the players, is that Hodgson has named only three strikers, possibly giving an indication that he intends to play with just one up front against the Swedes.

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

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Leon Osman (Everton), Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).

Who do you think are the biggest surprises?