Carragher Ends International Retirement, Named To Capello’s England Provisional Squad

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who was said to have retired from international football three years ago, was a surprise member of the 30-man provisional squad coach Fabio Capello named for England on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old has made 34 appearances for his national team and was a member of the Three Lions at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. However, Carragher retired a year later amidst frustrations with then-manager Steve McLaren’s selection. With upcoming friendlies against Mexico and Japan, Carragher looks to make his first appearance for England since his 2007 retirement.

Other surprise selections for Capello are two players who have yet to be capped. Manchester City winger Adam Johnson has been brought into the team after a strong half-season at Eastlands (after his January move from Middlesbrough). Spurs central defender Michael Dawson’s run of form to end the season earned him the chance to compete with the likes of Carragher for one of the defenders’ positions.

Amongst the other surprise selections: Darren Bent gets the fifth forward spot, with West Ham’s Carlton Cole having lost his normal squad place; Scott Parker of West Ham is called in to bolster the central midfield, as is Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone; Michael Carrick has been brought in despite being out-of-favor at Old Trafford; Ledley King’s knee proved stalwart enough over Spurs’ run-in to justify being brought into the squad.

The surprise omission may be Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, whose play in leading the Cottagers to the Europa League final had led to speculation the forward would be called-in.

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry, one of Capello’s first choices, was rumored to be omitted from the team because of an ankle injury suffered last week. However, the Citizen has made the provisional squad amidst rumors that Capello made a final, failed plea to Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who continues his international retirement.

Robert Green (West Ham)
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
David James (Portsmouth)

Leighton Baines (Everton)
Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Michael Dawson (Tottenham)
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
Ledley King (Tottenham)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Matthew Upson (West Ham)
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham)
Adam Johnson (Manchester City)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
James Milner (Aston Villa)
Scott Parker (West Ham)
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)

Darren Bent (Sunderland)
Peter Crouch (Tottenham)
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)