Danny Welbeck called up to England squad

(GETTY IMAGES)

Striker Danny Welbeck has been called into the England squad for the first time following the withdrawal of Aaron Lennon.

The Football Association confirmed last night that Lennon had been released back to Tottenham as a precaution after he experienced discomfort in his hamstring at the end of yesterday's training session ahead of the friendly with Ghana.

Initially it was suggested there would be no replacement. However, coach Fabio Capello has now changed his mind and drafted Welbeck, a Manchester United player currently on loan at Sunderland, into the squad.

Welbeck has enjoyed an outstanding season at Sunderland and had been tipped for a full international call before now.

He made a goalscoring appearance for the England Under-21 side in their crushing win over Denmark on Thursday but was one of the players released back to his club by coach Stuart Pearce.

With Liverpool's Andy Carroll earmarked for a start against the Black Stars and Tottenham duo Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe also in Capello's squad the move looks very much like the Italian covering his back in case of further mishaps.

However, the experience will serve Welbeck well ahead of a likely place at this summer's European Under-21 Championships.