by LONDON, Aug 30 (Reuter) - Stuart Pearce, who missed England's last six
internationals because of injury, was recalled on Monday for the crucial World
Cup qualifier against Poland -- but there was no place for striker Alan Shearer.
Manager Graham Taylor, naming a 22-man squad and five back-up players for the
September 8 match, included six men who missed England's humiliating summer
tour of the United States.
As well as Pearce, who has been re-appointed as captain, there were recalls for
Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman and Arsenal centre-back Tony Adams, Liverpool
defender Rob Jones, Queen's Park Rangers defender David Bardsley and Lazio
midfielder Paul Gascoigne.
Shearer, Blackburn's 3.3 million pounds ($4.94 million) striker who has made
only four appearances as substitute this season -- scoring once against
Newcastle on Sunday -- was named as one of the back-up players.
But Taylor decided not to include him in the main squad so soon after returning
from an eight month injury lay-off with cruciate knee ligament problems.
Taylor found a place for goalkeeper Seaman who feared he would be unable to add
to his nine caps after he missed the summer internationals because of a hernia
operation.
But with first choice Chris Woods apparently losing form for club and country,
Seaman could well be recalled for a match England must win to revive their
chances of qualifying for the finals in the United States next year.
There were no major surprises, with Taylor resisting calls for Mark Hateley of
Glasgow Rangers and Wimbledon's John Fashanu to be given a chance.
Instead it looks a straight choice between Les Ferdinand and Teddy Sheringham
as a partner for Ian Wright, who has scored four of Arsenal's six premier
league goals so far this season.
Announcing he was handing the captaincy back to Pearce, Taylor said: "What
Stuart has is a presence...sometimes you only appreciate that when people are
not there."
David Platt, who scored on his debut for Sampdoria on Sunday, and Manchester
United's Paul Ince both captained England during Pearce's absence.
Platt said: "I am pleased to hand the captaincy back to Stuart Pearce. His
return will strengthen our World Cup challenge."
The squad: Chris Woods, David Seaman; Rob Jones, Earl Barrett, David Bardsley,
Des Walker, Tony Adams, Gary Pallister, Stuart Pearce, Tony Dorigo, Carlton
Palmer, David Batty, David Platt, Paul Ince, Paul Gascoigne, Andy Sinton, Lee
Sharpe, Ian Wright, Les Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham, Nigel Clough, Paul Merson.
The standby players are: Tim Flowers, Nigel Winterburn, Martin Keown, Trevor
Steven, Alan Shearer.
(c) Reuters Limited
GLASGOW, Aug 30 (Reuter) - Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh named five uncapped
players on Monday in his 21-strong squad for next week's World Cup qualifier
against Switzerland.
The newcomers are Rangers goalkeeper Ally Maxwell, Aberdeen defender Gary Smith
Dundee United goalkeeper Alan Main and defender Chris McCart and midfielder
Phil O'Donnell who both play for Scottish premier league leaders Motherwell.
Squad: Bryan Gunn, Ally Maxwell, Alan Main; Tom Boyd, Brian Irvine, Craig
Levein, Chris McCart, Stuart McKimmie, Gary Smith, Dave Bowman, John Collins,
Ian Durrant, Ian Ferguson, Gary McAllister, Paul McStay, Phil O'Donnell; Scott
Booth, Eoin Jess, Pat Nevin, Kevin Gallacher, Gordon Durie.
(c) Reuters Limited
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