Capello calls for young duo

Wheater and Hart heading to Belarus

Last updated: 14th October 2008

Hart Joe

Hart: Bound for Belarus

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England Under 21 duo David Wheater and Joe Hart are to link up with the senior squad for their clash with Belarus on Wednesday.

Both players completed 90 minutes for Stuart Pearce's side in the 2-2 draw with Wales Under 21s at Villa Park on Tuesday evening, which sealed their place at next summer's European Championships in Sweden thanks to a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Middlesbrough defender Wheater and Manchester City goalkeeper Hart will now fly out to Minsk to provide cover for the players who were selected in Fabio Capello's initial squad.

The England boss decided he needed to call up the duo after losing defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole and goalkeeper Robert Green to injury.

The absences left Capello short of options with only David James and Scott Carson available to line up between the posts.

Gabriel Agbonlahor should also have been making the trip but he has been forced to pull out after picking up a hamstring injury against Wales.

Too important

Pearce had offered to pull all three out of tonight's game but coach Franco Baldini refused.

"Franco just said definitely not, the game was too important," said Pearce.

"Part of my job is to get results, educate them and get them through to the seniors.

"We had planned on taking three of them. They were proud to be asked this morning. Unfortunately Gaby will not be going but the other two are proud to."

England will look to record a fourth consecutive victory in World Cup qualifying Group 6 following their 5-1 win over Kazakhstan at the weekend.