Walker, Stockdale set for England debuts

Defender Kyle Walker is a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello’s 25-man England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Denmark.

The 20-year-old Spurs right-back has impressed in recent months in loan stints at Queens Park Rangers and now Aston Villa, and with concerns over the fitness of Micah Richards and Phil Jagielka, has been rewarded with an international call-up.

Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale’s fine performances while deputising for Mark Schwarzer – who was on Asian Cup duty with Australia – have seen him also chosen for this first senior international involvement.

Front men Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent have all been recalled after missing England’s 2-1 November loss to France with injury, as has Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

Steven Gerrard has been named as captain, after Rio Ferdinand suffered a calf-strain in the warm up before Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Wolves at Molineux on Saturday.

Capello said Bent, who turns 27 on Sunday, was a walk-up start in his side after impressing in recent matches.

“Bent was not as good before the World Cup as he is at this moment,” the England coach said of the Villa man. “He was not the same player.”

“I went to see Aston Villa twice. It is completely different.”

“Before he was only playing for the box. Now, he is a player who can play for the team.”

“At Sunderland before, it was important for them to go straight for the goal. I told him he had to change. He had to work a lot, press a lot.”

“He has probably changed something in his mind, not only in his style.”

Capello said 19-year-old Jack Wilshere would also play a crucial role in the match.

“He has always been good at short passes and winning back the ball. Now he is playing with confidence,” Capello said.

“He is a really important player for Arsenal and I hope he will be for us too.”

The England squad: Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Man City), David Stockdale (Fulham); Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Man City), John Terry (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Aston Villa); Gareth Barry (Man City), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa); Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)