Rooney doubtful for England game

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is a doubt for England's friendly against Spain at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The striker limped off after 64 minutes of United's crushing 4-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

"We will assess him on Monday morning but he may be doubtful for the England game on Wednesday," said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas missed the defeat with an ankle injury and has had to pull out of the England squad.

Interview: England manager Steve McClaren

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton is in line to make his first England appearance after being called into the squad for the first time when the squad was announced on Friday.

Real Madrid's on-loan Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate was recalled for the first time since 2004.

Newcastle's Kieron Dyer and Gareth Barry of Aston Villa also returned after long absences from the national squad.

BBC Sport columnist Owen Hargreaves, of Bayern Munich, was named for the first time since breaking a leg in September.

Barton, 24, is expected to win his first call-up after impressing England coach Steve McClaren with his form and attitude this season.

McClaren is happy to give Barton his chance, despite speculation that his inclusion could cause friction after the City midfielder recently made a verbal attack on Frank Lampard and Steven
Gerrard over the duo's decision to launch post-World Cup autobiographies.

Lampard took exception to Barton's comments and there had been suggestions that the England coach had been approached by some senior players and asked not to pick the 24-year-old.

There will be no issues, that is the beauty of England

England coach Steve McClaren

The England coach is confident there will be no effect on the squad.

McClaren said: "There will be no issues, that is the beauty of England.

"The players can be rivals on a Saturday and hate each other. But when they come together with England it is a common cause.

"Joey is coming into a fantastic squad and everybody will be professional."

Barton joins up with Manchester City team-mate Micah Richards, who is expected to win his
second cap, having made his England bow against Holland in Amsterdam in December.

As expected, Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was not named after suffering a knee injury in the Blues' win over Blackburn.

England skipper John Terry was included in the squad, despite a lack of first-team action since undergoing back surgery at the end of December.

Woodgate's inclusion marks the end of an injury nightmare for the former Newcastle and Leeds defender.

His last appearance for England was against Sweden in March 2004, since when his international career has been put on hold by a spate of injuries.

McClaren has watched the centre-half put in some strong displays for Middlesbrough but Woodgate himself remained cautious, saying: "I am not really thinking about England."

Dyer was another player recalled to the squad after a long battle with injury. He last played for England in March 2005.

Barry has been recalled following a four-year international exile.

His reward for some impressive performances for Villa this season is a chance to add to his eight caps.

Barry was resigned to never winning another cap under previous boss Sven-Goran Eriksson but McClaren has brought him back for the first time since March 2003.

This week's friendly is Spain's first visit to England since February 2001 and is the 21st encounter between the two sides, with England claiming 11 victories to Spain's six.

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres returns to the Spain squad but Real Madrid striker Raul is omitted.

Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos will both play even though they will miss the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifier with Denmark through suspension.

England (squad):Robinson (Tottenham), Foster (Watford), Kirkland (Wigan); Gary Neville (Man Utd), Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Woodgate (Middlesbrough), Bridge (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Carragher (Liverpool), Dawson (Tottenham), Richards (Man City); Lennon (Tottenham), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Midd'boro), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Parker (Newcastle), Lampard (Chelsea), Barry (Aston Villa), Barton (Man City), Jenas (Tottenham), Dyer (Newcastle); Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Everton).

Spain (squad):Reina (Liverpool), Casillas (Real Madrid); Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Puyol (Barcelona), Capdevila (Deportivo La Coruna), Ramos (Real Madrid), Navarro (Sevilla); Fabregas (Arsenal), Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Lopez (Celta Vigo), Alonso (Liverpool), Albelda (Valencia), David (Valencia); Torres (Atletico Madrid), Arizmendi (Deportivo La Coruna), Angulo (Valencia) , Morientes (Valencia), Villa (Valencia).

From : BBC Sports