John Terry has been recalled by Roy Hodgson for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, despite facing FA action for alleged racial abuse.
The former England captain is due at a Football Association disciplinary hearing over charges of racially abusing defender Anton Ferdinand in a match at Loftus Road last season.
The controversy surrounding the affair prompted Terry to be stripped of the armband for the second time, and led to Fabio Capello’s resignation as England manager.
However, the controversy has not deterred new manager Roy Hodgson from selecting the Chelsea captain, who was one of his stand-out performers during England’s Euro 2012 campaign, and will be recalled having being rested for England’s recent friendly victory over Italy.
Ashley Cole is in line to earn his 100th England cap if he features in both matches, and is one of three left backs in the squad alongside Leighton Baines and Chelsea teammate Ryan Bertrand.
Hodgson is without the injured Wayne Rooney, and has named four strikers including Andy Carroll, who has just completed his loan move to West Ham.
Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley have kept their place in the squad, but there is no place for Ashley Young who started every game of Euro 2012.
The England squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Birmingham City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Sunderland), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).
Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).
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