England manager Fabio Capello named a depleted 24-man squad for his side's first Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Bulgaria and Switzerland next month, dpa reported.
Injuries to John Terry and Frank Lampard forced Capello to rethink and he has promoted West Ham defender Matthew Upson, who was relegated to fifth-choice during the World Cup.
Injuries to Terry and Ledly King and the second international retirement of Jamie Carragher has opened the door to Upson to cement his claim for a regular starting place.
Goalkeeper Scott Carson, Michael Carrick, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe remain in the squad, while Joleon Lescott, who missed the World Cup through injury, is also included.