Ashton receives England call-up

Ashton has played for England's Under-21s

West Ham's Dean Ashton has received his first England call-up as new coach Steve McClaren prepares his first squad to face Greece on 16 August.

David Beckham is dropped while Wayne Rooney, who is suspended for the first two Euro 2008 qualifiers, is rested.

Sol Campbell and David James have been also been left out, but Jermain Defoe, Phil Neville, Wes Brown and Chris Kirkland return to the squad.

Luke Young, Kieran Richardson, Darren Bent and Shaun Wright-Phillips are in.

News conference: McClaren, Venables and Terry

Tottenham's Michael Dawson and Manchester United keeper Ben Foster, who were both on World Cup stand-by, are also in McClaren's set-up.

Chelsea's Joe Cole and Manchester United's Michael Carrick are both injured, while Gary Neville, although struggling with a groin problem, is included.

McClaren picked out both Defoe and Ashton as two players he thought deserved their chance to shine for England.

"It's a new beginning, a new era. It's a terrific nucleus," said the former Middlesbrough boss.

"I have always admired Defoe. He has great potential. He came along as a back-up player during the World Cup and did well in training.

"Ashton has come through the Under-21s and then made a big money move to West Ham. He's done well there and should be given his opportunity."

ENGLAND SQUAD TO PLAY GREECE

(Old Trafford, 16 August)

Goalkeepers:
Robinson (Tottenham), Kirkland (Liverpool), Foster (Man Utd).

Defenders:
Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Carragher (Liverpool), A Cole (Arsenal), Dawson (Tottenham), Ferdinand (Man Utd), G Neville (Man Utd), P Neville (Everton), Terry (capt, Chelsea), Young (Charlton).

Midfielders:
Downing (Middlesbrough), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Richardson (Man Utd), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea).

Strikers:
Ashton (West Ham), Bent (Charlton), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Tottenham).