England take Hart

Hart: England call

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Joe Hart has been named in the England squad for the friendly internationals against USA and Trinidad and Tobago.

Fabio Capello has called up the young Manchester City goalkeeper, who was on the bench at The Riverside as his side were thrashed 8-1 by Middlesbrough.

It completes a remarkable elevation for Hart after only spending one season as a first-team regular following his move to Eastlands from Shrewsbury in 2006.

Versatile Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone has also been included, while defenders Phil Jagielka and David Wheater are both selected in the 31-man squad.

A further interesting choice is former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, who has been in outstanding form for Blackburn this term.

Three confirmed absentees through injury are Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards and Matthew Upson, with Capello keen to look at his defensive options ahead of England's World Cup qualifying campaign which gets under way in September.

After choosing Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand as his first two captains, Capello is yet to name his skipper for the USA game, although John Terry is available, as is Wayne Rooney.

Theo Walcott, named in Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad for next Thursday's friendly with Wales in Wrexham, will then link up with the senior party.

West Ham's Dean Ashton will be among the other attacking players Capello will have at his disposal, with all but the nine men on Champions League duty due to report on 22nd May.

England face the USA at Wembley on 28th May, before travelling to Trinidad and Tobago for their final game of the season on 1st June.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Man City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan).

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Man Utd), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham).

Midfielders: 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)

Forwards: 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).