Capello rings the changes for Hungary friendly

Fabio Capello has drafted in Arsenal youngsters Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs for Wednesday’s friendly against Hungary as the England coach rings the changes after his team’s World Cup flop.

Capello had vowed to take a closer look at the best young English players in the aftermath of his side’s second round exit against Germany in South Africa and he has stuck to his word.

The Italian is keen to see if midfielder Wilshere, 18, and left-back Gibbs, 20, are worthy of a place in his plans for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and the Arsenal duo could win their first caps on Wednesday, with Fulham’s Bobby Zamora also in line for his international debut.

The casualties of England’s woeful efforts at the World Cup are goalkeepers David James and Robert Green, West Ham defender Matthew Upson and Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole.

Aston Villa’s Emile Heskey had already retired after the World Cup but Tottenham pair Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, who both went to South Africa, are missing from the squad.

With wingers Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon both dropped, there is a place for Aston Villa’s Ashley Young.

Most of Capello’s senior men are included, including John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney.

Captain Rio Ferdinand is still sidelined with the knee ligament injury he suffered just before the World Cup, while David Beckham is absent as he recovers from an Achilles injury.

Wilshere, who has yet to start a Premier League game for Arsenal, will become the 10th youngest England international of all-time if he plays some part against Hungary.

He has already set a few notable landmarks in his fledgling career, including becoming Arsenal’s youngest league debutant two seasons ago and being the fifth 16-year-old to feature in the Champions League.

With five under-21 caps to his name, he has already made a favourable impression on Capello’s assistant Stuart Pearce and his fine half-season on loan at Bolton last term did not go unnoticed by the England coach.

Gibbs has only nine league starts for Arsenal but his composed displays as stand-in for regular left-back Gael Clichy impressed both Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and Capello.

Capello has also brought in Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill, Everton defender Phil Jagielka and Manchester United’s Wes Brown, while wingers Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott return after being axed from his provisional World Cup squad.

There is a place for Sunderland striker Darren Bent, who was left out of the World Cup party, a potential first cap for Zamora following his impressive form last season and a recall for West Ham’s Carlton Cole.

England’s 23-man squad for the friendly international against Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn)

Defenders: Wes Brown (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), John Terry (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)