Portsmouth centre-back Sol Campbell is out of the England squad to face Germany at Wembley on Wedenesday.
Pompey boss Harry Rednapp told BBC Radio 5live the defender, who has missed their last two matches, has not recovered from a groin injury.
Campbell, 32, and Fratton Park goalkeeper David James, 37, were both named in the 28-man squad on Friday.
James and Campbell had not been in any of Steve McClaren's squads since he took charge after the 2006 World Cup.
Newcastle's Steven Taylor is in the senior squad for the first time.
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is also included even though he will not play after injuring his toe in Toulouse.
SQUAD SELECTOR: Pick your England XI to play Germany
McClaren has also named John Terry, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and David Beckham in the squad despite questions over their fitness.
But Blackburn's David Bentley, 22, has paid for his refusal to play for the England Under-21s at this summer's European Championship, by being excluded from the squad.
There is also no room for Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas and Portsmouth striker David Nugent.
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McClaren explained the combination of good form and experience led to the recall of Portsmouth team-mates Campbell and James.
Campbell last appeared for England in the World Cup against Sweden, while James last wore the Three Lions against Jamaica last June.
"Sol is a player with vast experience at international level. He had a very strong season at Portsmouth last year," added McClaren.
"I always maintained that I wasn't closing the door on Sol. I know he won't let England down and I'm very pleased to welcome him back into the squad."
He continued: "David showed excellent and consistent form for Portsmouth last season, that's why he is back in the squad.
" I was hugely impressed with his attitude and ability"
"His attitude and professionalism has been first-class throughout this period. I also watched him in action this week against Manchester United, he is a top-class goalkeeper and deserves his recall."
Regarding Taylor, McClaren believes the 21-year-old deserves an opportunity to prove himself at senior level.
"Steven has been playing very well for Newcastle and was outstanding during the Under-21s tournament in Holland," said the former Middlesbrough boss.
"He was with us for the B game against Albania at the end of last season and I was hugely impressed with his attitude and ability."
Germany will be without their captain, Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack for the Wembley encounter.
Ballack is still suffering from an ankle injury and joins a lengthy injury list which includes German Footballer of the Year Mario Gomez, Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski, and Lukas Podolski.
Uncapped Stuttgart midfielder Sami Khedira, 20, is called up as Ballack's replacement, while Serdar Tasci is also named in a national squad for the first time.
England squad to play Germany:
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Portsmouth), Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Aston Villa), Richards (Manchester City), Brown (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Taylor (Newcastle), Neville (Everton), Shorey (Reading), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Carrick (Manchester United), Barry (Aston Villa), Downing (Middlesbrough), Dyer (West Ham), Hargreaves (Manchester United), Smith (Newcastle), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Bent (Tottenham), Johnson (Everton), Defoe (Tottenham).
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