Scotland suffer raft of withdrawals

Gordon Strachan will be without the services of Matt Phillips for Scotland’s friendly against the USA as the QPR winger is injured.

Scotland suffer raft of withdrawalsThe 22-year-old is the fourth midfielder to drop out of the squad following the withdrawals of James Forrest, Chris Burke and James Morrison.

Leeds United striker Ross McCormack, who scored all four of his team’s goals in Saturday’s 4-2 victory at Charlton Athletic, has been added to the squad following the withdrawal of Blackburn Rovers forward Jordan Rhodes, who picked up an ankle sprain in training.

It’s a really interesting fixture for us.

Mark McGhee

Earlier in the week, Strachan added Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven and Brighton midfielder Craig Conway to his squad because of the absence of Forrest, Burke and Morrison.

Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor and Wigan Athletic midfielder Shaun Maloney are also injured while Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is still unavailable. Scotland can be backed at 7/1 to beat the USA 1-0 with Robert Snodgrass available at 11/1 to open the scoring.

Assistant manager Mark McGhee said of the friendly: “It’s a really interesting fixture for us. They have, I think, a different mentality from European teams. We can look at them and see things that will maybe benefit us, that we can learn a little bit from.

“I’m quite excited about this game, even though it’s a friendly. I do expect them to be a better than decent team and opposition.”

Scotland squad: Scott Fox, Matt Gilks, David Marshall, Christophe Berra, Gordon Greer, Grant Hanley, Alan Hutton, Russell Martin, Charlie Mulgrew, Lee Wallace, Steven Whittaker, Charlie Adam, Ikechi Anya, Barry Bannan, Scott Brown, Craig Bryson, Craig Conway, Gary Mackay-Steven, James McArthur, Robert Snodgrass, Steven Fletcher, Steven Naismith, Ross McCormack.

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Rickie Lambert wins first England call-up

Rickie Lambert scored 15 Premier League goals for Southampton last season.

Rickie Lambert wins first England call-up

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has been included in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the friendly international against Scotland at Wembley on 14th August.

The 31-year-old Saints star, who scored 15 Premier League goals last term, has never been included in a senior England squad before.

He has found the net 93 times in 170 league appearances for Southampton, helping the club climb from League One to the Premier League.

He plied his trade in the lower leagues with Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before sealing a £1million switch to St Mary’s four years ago.

Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck are the other three strikers named in the 25-man squad while Manchester United’s recent signing from Crystal Palace, Wilfried Zaha, who featured for the Under-21s at Euro 2013 this summer, is also included.

Zaha made his senior debut nine months ago in the friendly defeat to Sweden.

Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere return to the squad after missing the friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil because of injury.

The visit of Scotland to Wembley will be the first time the two sides have met since 1999 when England won a two-legged play-off for Euro 2000.

In the 110 matches between the two sides, England have won 45, Scotland 41 and there have been 24 draws.

England squad for the Scotland game:

Goalkeepers
Ben Foster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy

Defenders
Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker

Midfielders
Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere

Wingers
James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Wilfried Zaha

Forwards
Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

England are rated at 22/1 to win the 2014 World Cup, with hosts Brazil available at 16/5.

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England v Republic of Ireland – Hodgson ready for ‘crucial’ matches

Steven Gerrard will miss this week’s England’s friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil because of a shoulder injury.

England v Republic of Ireland  - Hodgson ready for 'crucial' matches

Roy Hodgson insists this week’s friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil are important for England’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals.

The Republic visit Wembley for the first time in over two decades when they play Hodgson’s side on Wednesday before England fly to Rio de Janeiro for this weekend’s friendly against Brazil.

It is important for me to use this opportunity to look at players once more as we prepare for our final four qualifying matches.

Roy Hodgson

England will be without several players due to injury for the two matches as Steven Gerrard (shoulder), Andy Carroll (heel), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tom Cleverley (calf) and Kyle Walker all miss out.

England only have one more friendly – against Scotland in August – before they resume their World Cup qualification campaign in September.

Hodgson said: “It is important for me to use this opportunity to look at players once more as we prepare for our final four qualifying matches. These are crucial preparation matches for the qualification games.”

Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will be without the services of striker Kevin Doyle (Achilles tendon), winger Anthony Pilkington (knee) and midfielder Paul Green (hamstring) for Wednesday’s match. Defender Marc Wilson is also a doubt with a calf injury.

Veteran Italian boss Trapattoni said: “We can show them we are the same – that’s very important. That’s a stimulation for me, it’s very important that they show they are every bit as good.

“England are missing Steven Gerrard, Andy Carroll is also out, but they have a strong team. They have others – Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck – it’s OK, Hodgson has enough offensive players.

“But I have confidence because our team in the last game gave me much trust.”

England are 11/2 to beat the Republic 2-0 with Frank Lampard 6/1 to open the scoring.

Ashley Cole will captain the England team against the Republic of Ireland.

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