England Squad News: Hart & Sturridge Pull Out Of Italy Friendly

By Joseph Dempsey / August 13, 2012

BBC. A back injury forced Hart to sit out his sides 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Premier League curtain raiser that is the Community Shield yesterday, and whilst Sturridge was able to feature in that game as a substitute, he has still had to pull out with a toe injury. The two injuries leaves England still with cover between the sticks but somewhat threadbare at the opposite end of the pitch. With Wayne Rooney not being selected for the squad due to lack of match fitness, and manager Roy Hodgson's decision not to call up replacements, that leaves only Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe and Theo Walcott as the only registered forwards. Carroll endured a torrid time at Anfield last season, managing a meager six goals in 42 appearances, whilst Defoe has never completed the full 90 minutes in any of his 48 international appearances. The good news though is that rookie goalkeeper Jack Butland impressed for Great Britain in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament, and looks capable of taking the No1 jersey off Joe Hart, at least for the time being. John Ruddy is expected to start on the bench against Italy as Butland's understudy. Ruddy was initially called up into Hodgson's original 23-man squad, before having to pull out with a broken finger. Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Birmingham City), John Ruddy (Norwich City). Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur). Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Jake Livermore (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jack Rodwell (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Manchester United). Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).