Capello snubs Owen for Holland friendly

England coach Fabio Capello has denied Michael Owen an international recall after leaving the Manchester United striker out of his squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Holland.

Owen has not played for his country since the friendly defeat in France nearly 18 months ago, but his close-season move to United was expected to increase his chances of featuring in Capello’s team.

But Capello watched Owen miss four good chances during United’s friendly win over Valencia at Old Trafford on Wednesday and opted to snub the former Liverpool star, who is England’s fourth highest all-time goalscorer, for the trip to Amsterdam.

Owen’s United team-mate Wayne Rooney is joined by Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe and Carlton Cole to form a four-man English strikeforce.

That means there is also no place for Peter Crouch, even though the Tottenham new boy was part of the England side that overwhelmed Andorra on their last outing at Wembley.

The other surprise absentee is David James.

The Portsmouth star has been regarded as Capello’s first-choice goalkeeper and was expected to return after missing the World Cup wins against Kazakhstan and Andorra after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Although James was part of the Portsmouth side that faced Rangers in a friendly on Saturday, he is missing from Capello’s squad as the Italian looks at Ben Foster, Robert Green and Paul Robinson.

David Beckham will make the flight back from Los Angeles in order to take part, while Aston Villa winger James Milner gets a place in the squad.

England squad for friendly international against Holland in Amsterdam on August 12:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Man Utd), Robert Green (West Ham), Paul Robinson (Blackburn)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Man City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Man City), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy/USA), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Strikers: Carlton Cole (West Ham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).