Roy Hodgson has recalled Ashley Cole to his squad for the friendly match against Brazil on February 6, handing him a chance to win his 100th cap after the Chelsea left-back missed the 4-2 defeat to Sweden because of injury.
The 24 man group also sees Everton’s Leon Osman retain his place in the Three Lions squad for the first game of 2013 whilst youngsters Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Zaha are expected to drop down to the under-21s.
Chris Smalling also returns to the England fold after almost a year out of contention following an injury-plagued spell for Manchester United, while Hodgson names just two goalkeepers in Joe Hart and Jack Butland with Fraser Forster and John Ruddy sidelined with injury.
The Wembley fixture is one of a series of fixtures to help mark the Football Association’s 150 year anniversary and will act as a warm-up for the World Cup qualifiers in March against San Marino and Montenegro.
