England and Spain primed for battle

A huge test awaits England at Wembley this Saturday when World and European Champions Spain take to the hallowed turf.  Both squads have now been announced, with it being the home side who have caused the most talking points.

The biggest of which has caused consternation throughout the blue side of Manchester and beyond, and concerns Micah Richards.  Manchester City's right-back has been in red hot form this season, putting in a number of eye catching displays but not it seems to Fabio Capello.  Glen Johnson returns, while Phil Jones, who has been operating in that position for Richards cross city rivals Manchester United, is also included as is Tottenham full back Kyle Walker.  Following the announcement Richards took to twitter to voice his feelings saying "Well well well!!!! Disappointed is an understatement!!," Before refusing to spit his dummy and vow to work harder, later tweeting "Oh well better look next time! Roll the sleeves up and work harder!"  Phone in's up and down the country have been inundated with baffled fans, while Richard's ex-City team mate Joey Barton also took to twitter to voice his views, adding "Don't understand Eng Squad. No Newcastle players?? No Micah Richards?? Surely he has to be Man City 5 pts clear, MoM at Old T and skipper??"

With England seemingly going through a period of transition, surely it would have made sense to try out some new faces, or those that haven't featured for a while, ahead of next years European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.  This isn't to say there aren't new faces in the squad, Jack Rodwell has been promoted from the under-21s and while Daniel Sturridge could also earn his first cap, while Gabriel Agbonlahor is also to be given a chance to shine.  Richards however has been one of the stand out performers in this seasons Premier League, and it does very much seem to be a baffling absence.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll's omission on the other hand is less puzzling.  The £35m forward is struggling to live up to his billing at Anfield, and the chance missed at the weekend, when hitting the bar, and a gilt edged headed chance he put wide against Norwich City have probably hampered his claim.  It may be a new regime on the red half of Merseyside, but Carroll very much needs to start firing if he is to live up to the hefty price tag Kenny Dalglish splashed out to bring him to the club during the January transfer window.

Spain have announced a strong squad for the match, and have included the bulk of the players that helped the side to their Euro and World Cup triumphs.  Four Premier league players could potentially feature, while over half the squad is made up of players from the nations big two clubs of Real Madrid and Barcelona.  Vicente Del Bosque's world beaters will no doubt head in as favourites, a tag you can't argue with, and barring a tremendous effort from The Three Lions, will prove to be far too strong.

England squad in full:

Joe Hart (Man City), Scott Carson (Bursaspor), David Stockdale (Ipswich); Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Gary Cahill (Bolton), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Adam Johnson (Man City), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal); Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Bobby Zamora (Fulham), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd)

Spain squad in full:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona); Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Nacho Monreal (Malaga); Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona); David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Sevilla)