Johnson called into England squad

England have recalled Everton striker Andy Johnson for their upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Johnson, 25, replaces the injured Dean Ashton in the squad to face Andorra at Old Trafford on 2 September and Macedonia four days later.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick also returns after missing the friendly win over Greece with injury.

But Carrick's club-mate Gary Neville misses out with a groin problem which will keep him out for two weeks.

England head coach Steve McClaren is also without Joe Cole and Jamie Carragher through injury.

Wayne Rooney is suspended for both games following his sending off in the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal.

Johnson, who made an £8.6m move from Crystal Palace to Everton in May, was on standby for the World Cup finals but has not played for England since the 2005 summer tour of America.

He won his first England cap as a substitute in a friendly against Holland in February last year and then started his only game for his country against the USA in Chicago.

McClaren said: "Andy deserves his chance in this squad after starting the season well with his new club.

"He's a great lad and a real team player who always gives everything. I've spoken to David Moyes and he's delighted with how well Andy has settled in at Everton.

"I'm also delighted to have Michael Carrick back. Alex Ferguson says he's been training well and should be ready for the two games.

"It's a shame his start at United has been disrupted but he's a top-quality player and a great passer of the ball."

Johnson added: "When I joined Everton I said that it would be good for my international ambitions and that's been proved right.

"Every player wants to represent his country and I am no different in that. I just hope that now I can actually play a part in the two games.

"I am happy with my form at Everton and I have to thank the lads who have made it very easy for me to settle in."

Macedonia coach Srecko Katanec has named the same 18-man squad that beat Estonia 1-0 in their opening Euro 2008 qualifier in August.

England squad:Robinson (Tottenham), Kirkland (Liverpool), Foster (Man Utd), A Cole (Arsenal), Young (Charlton), P Neville (Everton), Bridge (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Brown (Man Utd), Dawson (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Carrick (Man Utd), Gerrard (Liverpool), Jenas (Tottenham), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Richardson (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lennon (Tottenham), Defoe (Tottenham), Bent (Charlton), Johnson (Everton), Crouch (Liverpool)

Macedonia squad to play England on 6 September:Jane Nikolovski, Tome Pacovski, Goce Sedloski, Igor Mitreski, Nikolce Novevski, Aleksandar Vasovski, Robert Petrov, Vlade Lazarevski, Igor Jancevski, Velice Sumolikovski, Vlatko Grozdanovski, Darko Tasevski, Artim Sakiri, Aleksandar Mitrevski, Goran Pandev, Aco Stojkov, Ilco Naumovski, Goran Maznov

From : BBC