England's Roster vs. Germany

I'm back with still no idea as to where to take this blog as I can function in the same capacity over at Center Holds It.

Alas, I can't let this die.

England Squad for Wednesday, August 22 vs. Germany:

GKs (3): Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Aston Villa)

Defenders (9): Micah Richards (Manchester City), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Sol Campbell (Portsmouth), Steven Taylor (Newcastle), Phil Neville (Everton), Nicky Shorey (Reading)

Midfielders (10): David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Kieron Dyer (West Ham), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United)

Forwards (6): Alan Smith (Newcastle), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Darren Bent (Tottenham), Andy Johnson (Everton), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).

Clearly, Steve McLaren doesn't expect to have 25 lined up come next Wednesday but he named this squad expecting some to drop-out due to health issues, club issues, etc. For example, Gerrard might pull out due to a broken toe. Already - even with this just being an international friendly (against Germany no less) - there is some controversy a-brewin'. Beckham wants to do the trans-atlantic marathon ( funny that Landon Donovan wants to do the same thing) and play in both his country and club's games, a day apart respectively. Blackburn big mouth David Bentley was snubbed by McLaren for snubbing the U-21 call-up he got a while back. Scott Carson - 3rd choice for the Lions - wants his damn first cap already. Other surprises - Nicky Shorey from Reading could get his second cap (hopefully he plays over 'Cashley' Cole) and Steven Taylor (only decent defender for the Magpies last season) for Newcastle looks for his first. David James and Sol Campbell - a Portsmouth duo - were recalled for the first time in a long time. And Kieron Dyer and Alan Smith - both who recently completed moves to different clubs - are part of the roster. The English backline has also taken a big hit recently with the international retirement of 29-year old Jamie Carragher as well as the broken foot of Wayne Rooney.