BAINES IN ENGLAND SQUAD

IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE AS LEIGHTON BAINES IS CALLED UP TO THE ENGLAND SQUAD TO PLAY EGYPT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

Leighton Baines has been selected for the England squad to face Egypt on Wednesday.
 
The Everton left-back has been called-up by Fabio Capello for the World Cup warm-up at Wembley in place of Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge and Chelsea’s Ashley Cole. 
 
Cole remains sidelined with a broken ankle, while Bridge withdrew himself from selection earlier this week due to personal reasons.
 
This is Baines’ second call-up to the Three Lions' senior set-up, having being picked by the Italian in March last year for fixtures against Slovakia and Ukraine respectively.
 
But although Baines is yet to make his full international debut, his consistently strong performances for Everton have earned him the chance to represent his country once again.
 
Should the Kirkby-born defender make it onto the Wembley turf next week it will be his first outing for his country since his 16th and final Under-21 appearance in 2007.
 
Baines' left-back counterpart Steven Warnock of Aston Villa has also been named in the 24-man squad. And Blues legend Graeme Sharp says Baines’ recognition at international level is thoroughly deserved.
 
He told evertonfc.com: “Baines is the best candidate. I think he has been unlucky to have been overlooked in previous England squads. He has more than done enough and he deserves this opportunity.

“Over the last two years he has been very, very consistent. People may have said he looks small but I don’t think he is any smaller than Ashley Cole. It is nice he is now getting the opportunity to show what he can do for England and he can grasp it with both hands. I think Leighton will benefit from his time with the England squad too as it will give him more confidence.
 
“If Cole doesn't recover in time for the World Cup it is a big blow for England but this means Leighton can now get his chance to play with the team and stake his claim. I don't see any reason why he won't be there in South Africa.
 
“Leighton has worked so hard to cement his place in Everton's team and he deserves his England call up and here's hoping he will also be in the World Cup.”
 
England take on the current African Cup of Nations champions at 8pm on Wednesday. Be sure to check back to evertonfc.com to see how Baines and the Three Lions fare.
 
England: David James, Robert Green, Joe Hart; Wes Brown, James Milner, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott, Ryan Shawcross, Leighton Baines, Stephen Warnock; David Beckham, Theo Walcott, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stewart Downing; Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole.