Barton breaks into England squad

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MADRID, Spain -- Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been named in England's squad for the first time for the friendly ainternational against Spain at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Coach Steve McClaren said Barton's selection would not harm team unity despite the player criticizing established England internationals for publishing autobiographies after the unsuccessful World Cup campaign.

"That will not be an issue," McClaren said.

"That's the beauty of England. They can be rivals on a Saturday and play against each other and hate each other but when they come to play for England it's a common cause.

"He (Barton) has been playing well and has forced his way through. I've always thought he was a very good player...England potential.

"It's one of those unknowns until he is thrown into the den to prove himself. He has earned the right to be picked."

McClaren also recalled Barton's fellow midfielders Kieron Dyer and Gareth Barry after a lengthy absence and drafted in central defender Jonathan Woodgate from his old club Middlesbrough.

Aston Villa's Barry won the last of his eight caps in 2003 while Dyer has struggled with injuries since he last featured for England in March 2005.

"I've always admired Kieron and this is a great opportunity after a couple of years in the wilderness," McClaren said.

"Kieron is one of those attackers with pace who can beat players and create. He's doing that for Newcastle and he's done it for England before. We'll see how he's shaping up."

Woodgate is enjoying a consistent season with hometown club Middlesbrough on a one-year loan, after being plagued by injuries in his two-year stay with Real Madrid.

Woodgate, who won the last of his five caps in March 2004, is set to step in should McClaren opt not to risk captain John Terry, out since December 13 with a back problem that required surgery.

"He's somebody that has proved himself at international level," McClaren said of the 27-year-old Woodgate.

'Pedigree'

"He has that pedigree but unfortunately it has never been brought to fruition because of injuries over the last three years," the coach told Sky Sports News.

"They have been devastating for the player but it shows the kind of character he's got to have come through that and start playing at the level he's doing. He's a fantastic player who can come out of defence and create."

Fernando Torres has been recalled to the Spain squad by coach Luis Aragones, but former captain Raul has been overlooked once again.

Torres, who had been a fixture in Aragones's squads, was dropped for November's 1-0 friendly defeat to Romania, after a poor start to the season with his club Atletico Madrid.

However, the 22-year-old's form has picked up and he has contributed seven goals to help Atletico climb to fifth in the Primera Liga, six points off leaders Barcelona.

Torres has 14 goals from 39 appearances with Spain.

Real Madrid striker Raul was dropped for the first time in 10 years for reasons other than injury for Spain's Euro 2008 qualifier away to Sweden at the beginning of October, and he has now failed to make the last three squads.

"The door remains open for Raul but he has been injured recently. I have had a conversation with him and I told him this," Aragones explained.

There was no room either for Joaquin or Jose Antonio Reyes. A number of players who missed the last match through injury return, including midfielders David Albelda and Xavi, and centre-back Pablo Ibanez.

Real Betis defender Juanito and Liverpool's Luis Garcia are both out injured.

It will be Spain's first visit to England since they were beaten 3-0 in a friendly in 2001, in Sven-Goran Eriksson's first match in charge of England.

It will be the 21st meeting between the teams. The most recent one, in the Bernabeu in November 2004, ended in a 1-0 victory for Spain but the match was marred by racist abuse directed at England's black players.

England and Spain have both made stuttering starts to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaigns.

In March, Spain will face Denmark and Iceland at home in Group F and England will travel to Israel and Andorra in Group E.

ENGLAND squad:

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

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester Utd), Gary Neville (Manchester Utd), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Phil Neville (Everton), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough)

Midfielders: Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Michael Carrick (Manchester Utd), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Scott Parker (Newcastle), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle), Joey Barton (Manchester City)

Forwards: Andy Johnson (Everton), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).

SPAIN squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool)

Defenders: Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Joan Capdevila (Deportivo Coruna), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Javi Navarro (Sevilla), Angel (Celta Vigo)

Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Miguel Angel Angulo (Valencia), David Silva (Valencia), David Albelda (Valencia)

Forwards: David Villa (Valencia). Angel Arizmendi (Deportivo Coruna), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Morientes (Valencia)

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