Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross was selected for England's exhibition against Egypt on Wednesday shortly after being ejected for a horrific challenge on Aaron Ramsey that left the Arsenal midfielder with a suspected broken leg.
Coach Fabio Capello delayed announcing his roster by 40 minutes to discuss with assistant Franco Baldini the impact of calling up Shawcross following Saturday's incident in the Premier League.
Shawcross has never played for the England senior team, but could feature alongside former captain John Terry in central defense due to injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Gary Cahill.
With England preparing for its World Cup opener against the United States on June 12, Leighton Baines replaced Wayne Bridge after the Manchester City defender quit international soccer due to Terry's alleged affair with his former partner. Bridge would likely have started due to Ashley Cole's injury, but Baines or Stephen Warnock will play left back.
Warnock's only international appearance was a six-minute stint as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008. Baines has not played for the national team.
A notable absentee is Chelsea winger Joe Cole, who returned in September from an eight-month injury layoff.
``There are some problems for him because he is not back like the player I remember,'' Capello said. ``We have to wait, maybe in the last two months (before the World Cup) he will improve a lot.''
Capello also has reservations about Theo Walcott.
``He is not in a fantastic moment. But I think he is getting better and better every time because he needs to play,'' Capello said.
Aston Villa midfielder Stewart Downing, who won the last of his 23 caps against Slovakia a year, was recalled.
David Beckham can make his 116th international appearance after impressing Capello while playing for AC Milan against his former club, Manchester United, in the Champions League.
``He played well, he changed the style during the game,'' Capello said. ``He is really dangerous. He can play wide and can cross. Every cross he does is really dangerous for defenders and the 'keeper.
Steven Gerrard will captain England because of the injury to Ferdinand.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Birmingham), David James (Portsmouth)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), David Beckham (AC Milan), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)
Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
