Soccer

Hodgson calls on Shelvey and Bertrand

Soccer: Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Bertrand have been called up to the England squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Mon Oct 08 2012 - 01:00

Soccer:Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Bertrand have been called up to the England squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Roy Hodgson has added the Liverpool midfielder and Chelsea full-back to his party for Friday night's game against San Marino and the following Tuesday's trip to Poland.

Bertrand is a direct replacement for Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs, who has dropped out with a thigh injury, while Shelvey steps up from the Under-21 squad as cover for Frank Lampard.

Lampard (knee) is a doubt after limping out of Chelsea's victory over Norwich at the weekend, and Hodgson has turned to 20-year-old Shelvey ahead of the experienced Gareth Barry.

READ MORE

Shelvey is the third uncapped player in the squad along with Ryan Shawcross and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

The midfielder is eligible for the Republic of Ireland but an appearance against either San Marino or Poland would put him beyond the reach of the FAI.