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SirStanleyBowles- 02-10-2009
Luke Young out of Spain friendly
Aston Villa defender Luke Young has been ruled out of England's friendly in Seville against Spain on Wednesday. Young, 29, left the camp on Monday after picking up a toe injury and he has returned to the Midlands instead of flying out with the rest of the squad. Emile Heskey did not train on Monday due to an ankle injury, but the striker is expected to take part on Tuesday. Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips was the only other player to miss training, but he will travel too. England were not due to leave their Watford base until Tuesday but, having assessed the forecast for poor weather over the next 24 hours, Capello decided to bring departure forward. David Beckham, meanwhile, hopes to earn a record-equalling 108th England cap. The 33-year-old has returned to Fabio Capello's England squad after impressing during his loan spell with AC Milan and will now be given the chance to equal Bobby Moore's record of England appearances by an outfield player. Carlton Cole and James Milner are both named in the squad for the first time but Wayne Rooney is left out. Rooney had been expected to miss out with Capello deciding not to risk the striker, who has been out since damaging his hamstring against Wigan in January, and with the Manchester United striker unfit, Cole is expected to play some part against the Euro 2008 winners. The inclusion of Cole and Milner comes on the back of excellent performances at club level, with the latter one of six Villa players included in a 23-man squad in which Rio Ferdinand returns. Ferdinand has not partnered skipper John Terry in central defence since the famous win over Croatia in September. Ashley Cole is also back for the first time since the World Cup qualifying win over Kazakhstan in October, while Joe Hart retains his place among a three-man group of goalkeepers despite losing his Manchester City spot to Shay Given. Meanwhile, Spain defender Carles Puyol has been ruled out of the game at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. The 30-year-old broke down with the problem during Barcelona's 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon on Sunday and he will not be risked. However, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will start the match despite his recent hamstring problems. Torres's inclusion comes against the advice of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who is concerned about the striker's fitness. Torres played only 14 minutes of Liverpool's 3-2 win over Portsmouth on Saturday as he works his way back to fitness and Benitez hopes the Spanish management will be considerate when it comes to the 24-year-old's involvement in Seville. "There is no point worrying about him playing for Spain next week because we know he will be selected, whatever we say," said Benitez. "The Spanish manager (Vicente del Bosque) has tried to contact me, but we missed each other. But we will talk." However, Torres himself is keen to play a full part in the match, saying: "Everyone wants to enjoy this great moment with the national squad after having gone through bad times in other years. "I feel in good condition and we will 100% go for the win against England." Torres' Reds team-mates Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera are included in the 22-man party. Del Bosque has also called up Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and Valencia midfielder David Silva, though Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas is out because of a long-term injury. England squad: Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Man City), David James (Portsmouth). Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Man City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham). Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Gareth Barry (Villa), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Ashley Young (Villa). Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Villa), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Villa). Spain squad: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool). Defenders: Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Juan Gutierrez (Real Betis), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Albert Riera (Liverpool), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia). Forwards: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao ), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).