World Cup qualifiers: Townsend and Barkley receive surprising call-ups

World Cup qualifiers: Townsend and Barkley receive surprising call-ups
Uncapped duo of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley and Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend have been called into the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine. Liverpool teenage winger Raheem Sterling was also included in the squad. England coach Roy Hodgson said: "We want to win. Players like Barkley, Townsend and Sterling can make a difference." Southampton striker Rickie Lambert was called up again after managing to score on his debut. Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also returns to the England squad after being ruled out by an injury while uncapped Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster replaces injured West Bromwich Albion goalie Ben Foster as a backup for Joe Hart. Barkley played for England at the Under-20 World Cup and is enjoying a good start to the Premier League season after scoring a beautiful a 20-yard goal at Norwich City on the opening day of the season. Townsend had very good performances last season when he was on loan at Queens Park Rangers but he is a controversial character as well as he was punished by the Football Association for betting breaches. When asked about the two youngsters, Hodgson said: "He impressed me when I worked with him at St George's and at Sheffield Wednesday, and quite a few other people impressed at that that time - Raheem Sterling and of course Andros Townsend, who was on the radar before the Under-21s. In choosing these players we are giving ourselves a chance to look at players who are capable of having a bright future. They can be players who make a big impact and help you to win. They're there on merit. But players need to understand the doors open at senior level, but you don't close the door on under-21." England will face Moldova at Wembley on 6 September, before travelling to Kiev to face Ukraine on 10 September. England are second in Group H, two points behind Montenegro but with a game in hand. The winners of each of the nine groups qualify automatically for the 2014 World Cup while the best eight runners-up will be entered into the play-offs round over two legs to pick four more qualifiers for Brazil 2014. England are 1/8 to qualify for the World Cup at Bet365 while their odds to win Group H are at 1/2 at the same bookmaker.
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