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"Newcastle" club captain Scott Parker has returned to the England national team after almost two years absence. The Englishman has only defended the honor of his national team twice, with the last time being in March 2004. In Steve McClaren's 24-player squad for the 2008 European Championship qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia, the 25-year-old midfielder will take the place of the injured Owen Hargreaves. S.Parker was left out of former England national team coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's plans, and the last time he wore the national team jersey was in a match against Sweden in March 2004. "In Newcastle, Scott is the main leader and has established himself very well there," said England national team coach S. McClaren. - "He is a player who knows what we are looking for - team discipline and victories." "Today I spoke with Scott. He was very excited and at the same time very pleased to have a great opportunity. I will gladly meet with him and the rest of the team on Tuesday to discuss the two important matches," added the coach. Also included in the national team is "Man Utd" forward Wayne Rooney, who had to miss the first two team matches due to a FIFA suspension, so Darren Bent will only play for the England youth (U-21) team. After recovering from a foot injury, "Tottenham" defender Ledley King has been included in the squad again, having missed the last 10 national team matches due to injury, as well as the June World Cup. In addition, the defender could not help his club in the UEFA Cup matches against Prague's Slavia due to knee problems in his right leg. Meanwhile, his team mates Michael Dawson and "Charlton" defender Luke Young will not have the opportunity to shine in the national team this time. Also returning to the national team are "Man Utd" captain Gary Neville and "Liverpool" defender Jamie Carragher, who missed the matches against Andorra and Macedonia. "Chelsea" midfielder Joe Cole is still not fully recovered from an injury, while S. McClaren chose not to call up "Middlesbrough" newcomer Jonathan Woodgate, who impressed after leaving Madrid's "Real" team. Due to injuries, "Tottenham" young player Aaron Lennon and Bayern Munich defender O.Hargreaves will not be able to help the team. Once again, there was no place in the squad for former England captain David Beckham. On October 7, at Manchester's Old Trafford stadium, England will host visitors from Macedonia, and four days later they will travel to Zagreb to try to overcome the resistance of the powerful Croatia national team. England's national team lineup for matches against Macedonia and Croatia: Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson ("Tottenham"), Ben Foster ("Man Utd"), Chris Kirkland ("Wigan"); Defenders: Gary Neville ("Man Utd"), Phil Neville ("Everton"), Wes Brown ("Man Utd"), John Terry ("Chelsea"), Rio Ferdinand ("Man Utd"), Jamie Carragher ("Liverpool"), Ledley King ("Tottenham"), Ashley Cole ("Chelsea"), Wayne Bridge ("Chelsea"); Midfielders: Frank Lampard ("Chelsea"), Steven Gerrard ("Liverpool"), Jermaine Jenas ("Tottenham"), Michael Carrick ("Man Utd"), Kieran Richardson ("Man Utd"), Stewart Downing ("Middlesbrough"), Shaun Wright-Phillips ("Chelsea"), Scott Parker ("Newcastle"), Forwards: Wayne Rooney ("Man Utd"), Peter Crouch ("Liverpool"), Andrew Johnson ("Everton"), Jermaine Defoe ("Tottenham").
