Capello brings in Agbonlahor, while Walcott stays on sidelines

Fabio Capello has called up Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor for England’s final two World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus, but there is no place for Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

Walcott scored in Arsenal’s 6-2 win over against Blackburn on his return to action on Sunday after several weeks out with a back problem.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger claimed he would have no problem if the winger was named into Capello’s squad for the matches against the Ukraine next Saturday and Belarus at Wembley the following Wednesday.

But Capello has adopted a cautious approach and decided against drafting the 20-year-old into his squad for the first time this season, even though England have already booked their place at next year’s finals in South Africa.

Capello has opted against experimenting with his squad in two relatively meaningless matches.

Jermain Defoe and Ben Foster’s absences have been put down to injury, a hand problem in the case of the Tottenham striker, with Manchester United’s goalkeeper ruled out with an unspecified problem.

Agbonlahor is recalled as Defoe’s replacement after an impressive run for Villa, while Portsmouth goalkeeper David James is back in place of Foster.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is also restored to the squad after injury problems.

England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus on October 10 and 14:

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Blackburn), Robert Green (West Ham), David James (Portsmouth)

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Matthew Upson (West Ham)

Midfielders: James Milner (Aston Villa), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy/USA), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)

Striker: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)