England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Lescott earns England call

03 Sep 2007 - 19:03:29

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England coach Steve McClaren has called up Everton defender Joleon Lescott to his injury-ravaged squad for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

The 25-year-old Toffees star has been drafted into the squad after veteran Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell was forced to pull out with a hamstring problem.

Lescott joined Everton in a £4million deal from Wolves last summer and has gone on to make 47 appearances for the Merseysiders.

Last season the versatile defender was used as a makeshift left-back at times, but has reverted to his more regular centre-half role at the start of the current campaign.

Lescott is the third Everton player called into McClaren's squad, following defensive colleague Phil Neville and striker Andrew Johnson.

The former England Under-21 international earned his first call-up for May's friendly victory over an Albania B side at Turf Moor.

Last month, Everton boss David Moyes backed Lescott's claim for a regular place in the England set-up.

"Lescott won't let England down at centre-back or left-back," he said. "We'll keep pushing him and keep trying to get him in.

"He doesn't get beaten, he doesn't get run, his use of the ball could be better, but if you go away and hope your boys at the back will keep you in the game, Joleon will certainly do that for you."