England play safe with squad to face Israel

England coach Steve McClaren welcomed back Owen Hargreaves and Aaron Lennon to his squad yesterday for their crunch Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel and kept faith with fellow midfielder Kieron Dyer.

Hargreaves is back after breaking a leg in September while Lennon also returns from injury for the game at Ramat Gan on March 24 and another Group E qualifier four days later against Andorra in Barcelona.

Lennon is expected to shake off a recent knee problem to make his first England start after seven substitute appearances.

Hargreaves, who impressed as a holding midfielder at the 2006 World Cup, will play behind Frank Lampard, flanked by Steven Gerrard on his right and Lennon on the left.

There is no room though for midfielder Joey Barton, a late substitute on his debut in the 1-0 defeat by Spain last month, or winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Dyer keeps his squad place after a promising display against Spain.

England Squad

Goalkeepers: Carson (Charlton, on loan from Liverpool), Robinson (Tottenham), Foster (Watford, on loan from Man. United).

Defenders: Cole, Terry (both Chelsea), P. Neville (Everton), Carragher (Liverpool), Richards (Man. City), Ferdinand, G. Neville (both Man. United), Woodgate (Middlesbrough, on loan from Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Carrick (Man. United), Downing (Middlesbrough), Dyer, Parker (both Newcastle), Lennon (Tottenham).

Forwards: Bent (Charlton), Johnson (Everton), Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Tottenham).