INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Netherlands v England
Venue: Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam Date: Wed, 12 August Kick-off: 2045 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live and ITV1; Live text commentary on BBC Sport website
**Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has withdrawn from the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.**The 26-year-old picked up a knock during Sunday’s FA Community Shield defeat by Chelsea.
Manchester City’s Joe Hart - currently on loan at Birmingham City - has been called up as a replacement.
First-choice goalkeeper David James was left out of the squad by coach Fabio Capello because of a knee injury.
In James’ absence, Capello selected West Ham United’s Robert Green and Blackburn Rovers’ Paul Robinson, who will now compete with Hart to play at the Amsterdam Arena.
Foster has played twice for England, the first in the 1-0 defeat against Spain in February 2007 and the second as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 win over Slovakia in March this year.
606: DEBATE
“England has no decent keeper. this is an area of concern for our world cup chances”
RockingTheJoint
He is expected to be first-choice goalkeeper for Manchester United in the absence of regular number one Edwin Van der Sar, who will be sidelined for up to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a broken finger and bone in his left hand.
Foster started the Community Shield match against Chelsea on Sunday, but was unable to prevent United losing 4-1 on penalties.
Following seven successive qualifying wins, England are on the cusp of qualifying for the World Cup next summer in South Africa, while the Dutch, who have also notched up seven victories, are assured of a place in the 2010 finals.
After playing the Netherlands, Capello’s England face Slovenia in a friendly on 5 September, before facing Croatia in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on 9 September.
England squad for 12 August friendly against the Netherlands:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe(Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)