Darren Bent has been recalled to the England squad for Saturday's friendly with Brazil in Qatar.

The Sunderland striker has been in fine form this season, scoring eight goals for the Black Cats, although he did miss a penalty in Saturday's defeat at former club Tottenham.

However, international recognition had proved elusive. But, with Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole both ruled out of England's penultimate game before Fabio Capello must name his provisional squad for next summer's World Cup, Bent has been handed his chance.

The most notable inclusions in a squad shorn of Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Aaron Lennon and David James through injury are Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock and Tottenham midfield man Tom Huddlestone.

As expected there was no place for Manchester United striker Michael Owen.

Warnock's international career extends to an eight-minute substitute appearance in Trinidad last year, while Huddlestone is still to make his senior debut.

Capello has named a 24-man squad, although that number will reduce by one if Los Angeles Galaxy are still in the MLS play-offs as David Beckham would be forced to withdraw.

England squad

Goalkeepers: Foster (Man. United), Green (West Ham), Hart (Birmingham).

Defenders: Bridge (Manchester City), Brown (Man. United), Cahill (Bolton), Johnson (Liverpool), Lescott (Man. City), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham), Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Barry (Man. City), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Carrick (Man. United), Huddlestone (Tottenham), Jenas (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Aston Villa), Wright-Phillips (Man. City), Young (Aston Villa).

Strikers: Bent (Sunderland), Crouch (Tottenham), Defoe (Tottenham), Rooney (Man. United).