Cole and Lennon return for England

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LONDON, England -- Wingers Joe Cole and Aaron Lennon have returned to the England fold on Friday in coach Steve McClaren's 28-man squad for their friendly in the Netherlands next week.

England face the Dutch in Amsterdam on Wednesday after a dismal run in Euro 2008 qualifying, having lost 2-0 in Croatia after a 0-0 draw at home with Macedonia in Group E last month.

Cole and Lennon missed those games because of injury, along with striker Andy Johnson, who also returns to a squad which has a new face in Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

Cole should take back the left side from Stewart Downing, who has yet to make an impact, while Lennon will probably have to wait to take over from Steven Gerrard on the right flank.

However, former captain David Beckham remains excluded from the England set-up since McClaren took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.

Frank Lampard should fill the attacking midfield position, with a range of options available for the holding role -- Michael Carrick, Ledley King and Scott Parker among those in the frame.

Up front, Johnson should get some minutes in the second half at the Amsterdam Arena as a strike partner for Wayne Rooney, with Peter Crouch expected to start.

Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent are further alternatives while McClaren waits for Michael Owen to return from long-term injury.

Despite the inclusion of 18-year-old Richards, no surprises are expected at the back, where John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Gary Neville are all available.

Though it is only a friendly, McClaren will clearly be looking for a performance that will stop the rot after a bright start to the job.

England beat European champions Greece 4-0 and won qualifiers against Andorra 5-0 and Macedonia 1-0 before losing their way in Manchester and Zagreb.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic), Ben Foster (Manchester United, on loan to Watford)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Neville (Everton)

Midfielders: Joe Cole (Chelsea), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Scott Parker (Newcastle United), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards: Darren Bent (Charlton Athletic), Andy Johnson (Everton), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur).

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