Capello set to call up Stockdale as part of his new generation

England manager could pick Fulham reserve keeper for squad announced tonight to face Denmark

Sam Wallace
Friday 04 February 2011 20:00 EST
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Stockdale impressed for Fulham last season when called upon
Stockdale impressed for Fulham last season when called upon (Getty Images)

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Fabio Capello is considering a call-up for Fulham's reserve goalkeeper David Stockdale for his squad to play Denmark on Wednesday in which the England manager intends to give a chance to some of the next generation of players.

Having already declared that Jack Wilshere will start the game in central midfield, Capello is also weighing up whether Stockdale should be given some experience of the senior team set-up. The 25-year-old was in line to be selected for the friendly against Hungary in August but was injured the weekend before the game and had to withdraw from the squad.

There is a small pool of goalkeepers whom Capello trusts – Joe Hart, Rob Green and Ben Foster – and Stockdale's inclusion would be dependent on the manager giving Green or Foster the week off. Hart has Capello's backing despite some shaky performances for Manchester City including a mistake for Birmingham City's first goal on Wednesday night.

Stockdale was given his chance at Fulham last month while Mark Schwarzer was in Qatar playing for Australia at the Asian Cup but manager Mark Hughes restored the Australian into the starting line-up for Wednesday's game against Newcastle.

Capello is also looking at the possibility of calling up Leighton Baines for the first time since the Everton left-back was dropped from the provisional World Cup squad. Baines, 24, has been dogged by comments he made in a pre-World Cup interview that being away in South Africa would make him homesick – despite subsequently denying that was what he meant. Baines' progress has impressed Capello this season and he now seems prepared to give the defender another chance to establish himself.

The squad is announced tonight although there could be many changes if there are injuries this weekend, including in tomorrow's game between Chelsea and Liverpool. Capello expects to select Frank Lampard for his squad for the first time since the Hungary friendly even though the midfielder has struggled with injuries all season.

The question of which strikers Capello takes is not obvious. Wayne Rooney is back in form, Peter Crouch scored for Tottenham and Darren Bent is likely to be picked having been injured for the friendly against France in November. Jermain Defoe's place must be doubtful given his recent slump in form. Andy Carroll, who made his debut against France, is injured, while Kevin Davies and Jay Bothroyd are not expected to make the cut. Capello has been impressed with Danny Welbeck, the Manchester United striker on loan at Sunderland, but he too is injured and unavailable.

There were suggestions that Chelsea's 17-year-old midfielder Josh McEachran might be in line for a call-up after he was left out of Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad this week but he is not in contention. Neither is David Beckham, who is currently training with Tottenham.

Capello will be at Stamford Bridge tomorrow while his general manager Franco Baldini is watching Wolves against Manchester United today and West Ham against Birmingham City tomorrow. The England squad meet at their Hertfordshire headquarters, the Grove Hotel, tomorrow evening and fly to Copenhagen on Tuesday.

The primary reason for playing in the Parken Stadium is that it is heated and the FA hopes that will make it more comfortable for the players.

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