England call up Shawcross

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has been called up to the England squad but Potters striker Peter Crouch has been left out again.

With John Terry and Rio Ferdinand no longer in the picture it was thought Shawcross could get his chance and that has turned out to be the case after boss Roy Hodgson named the Potters skipper in his squad. England are due to take on San Marino and Poland in crucial World Cup qualifiers and Shawcross will be hoping to play some part, although he is unlikely to start. It is not good news for Crouch though as Hodgson has decided to overlook him once again despite the fact he has bagged five Premier League goals so far this season. Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll, none of whom have scored that many goals, have got the nod ahead of the Stoke striker.