Mancienne in England squad

[Shaggy]

Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne has been handed a shock call-up to the England squad to face Germany in Berlin on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old, currently on loan at Championship leaders Wolves, joins Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor in boss Fabio Capello's 23-man party.

Manchester United pair Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are absent with calf and back injuries, respectively.

And David Beckham misses the chance to equal Bobby Moore's tally of 108 caps.

The 33-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder has not played since the Major League Soccer season finished on 26 October and Capello has made it clear he will only pick players who are playing regularly.

Beckham will be inactive until he joins Italian side AC Milan on loan in January.

Mancienne, who is yet to play for the Chelsea first team, joins uncapped Villa duo Curtis Davies and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

England and Chelsea captain John Terry is included despite picking up an injury during the Blues' 3-0 win at West Brom earlier on Saturday.

Tottenham striker Darren Bent, revitalised under new Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, earns a recall, while Manchester City's Joe Hart and Micah Richards also return.

England squad to play Germany: Carson, Hart, James, Bridge, Davies, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Mancienne, Richards, Upson, Barry, Carrick, Downing, Lampard, Gerrard, Wright-Phillips, A Young, Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch, Defoe, Walcott

[Darth Marty]

whats the point in that then?

[pondus]

Never heard of him before

Rooney and Ferdinand "rested" then

[-V-]

Never seen him play and never heard of him but friendly internationals are supposed to be there for giving young players experience and opportunities so why not.

[Leyton388]

Good to see fabio ****ing Owen & Beckham off because he has not been good enough. What a breath of fresh air this is. Not good enough you don't get in no matter who you are. QUALITY!!!!

[Warren]

Good to see fabio ****ing Owen

Owen is better than Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch and Defoe

[Sydney Vicious]

I've organised an Open Mic comedy night in Torquay for Wednesday. Great. Didn't realise til tonight that England are playing the Germans at the same time.

Oh well, if the turn out is low at least it'll give me some material.

[Red Chilli]

Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne

With a rep like that this lad is going to be EASY to despise.
Never heard of him

[Pablo]

Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne has been handed a shock call-up to the England squad to face Germany in Berlin on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old, currently on loan at Championship leaders Wolves, joins Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor in boss Fabio Capello's 23-man party.

Manchester United pair Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are absent with calf and back injuries, respectively.

And David Beckham misses the chance to equal Bobby Moore's tally of 108 caps.

The 33-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder has not played since the Major League Soccer season finished on 26 October and Capello has made it clear he will only pick players who are playing regularly.

Beckham will be inactive until he joins Italian side AC Milan on loan in January.

Mancienne, who is yet to play for the Chelsea first team, joins uncapped Villa duo Curtis Davies and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

England and Chelsea captain John Terry is included despite picking up an injury during the Blues' 3-0 win at West Brom earlier on Saturday.

Tottenham striker Darren Bent, revitalised under new Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, earns a recall, while Manchester City's Joe Hart and Micah Richards also return.

England squad to play Germany: Carson, Hart, James, Bridge, Davies, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Mancienne, Richards, Upson, Barry, Carrick, Downing, Lampard, Gerrard, Wright-Phillips, A Young, Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch, Defoe, Walcott

Every ****ing time!

[AFII]

Owen is better than Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch and Defoe

He still scores something like 0.5 goals/game. The best english finisher out there, including Rooney.

It's his fitness that is the problem, not if he is good enough.

[Shaggy]

Every ****ing time!

Makes me wanna smash something up. Cheating cunts. Fletcher has also been pulled out of the Scotland squad. It's an absolute joke. Ferguson would no doubt cite the fact Rooney and Ferdinand didn't play yesterday, but as ****ing if they're injured. Stoke at home...and a chance to give them an extended rest by pretending they're injured. Does he think we're all ****ing stupid or something? The only people who swallow it are the FA.

It's about time Rafa took the same stance.

The incredulous irony is, ask a United fan or go on one of their forums, and they believe it's us who are guilty of this cheating, while they're the suckers who send their players all over the world. Defies belief.

[JohnDoe]

Owen is better than Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch and Defoe

I'd only agree with Darren Bent.

[Elvoz]

whats the point in that then?

[Jayesh87]

With a rep like that this lad is going to be EASY to despise.
Never heard of him

He was impressive for England under 21's against Wales, so psycho probably had a word with Fabio

[Parm]

Every ****ing time!

hey Stevie is out as well so even less of a reason to give a **** about this game.