England call up Bent for crucial Euro 2008 qualifier

London (dpa) - Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent has been called up to the England squad for their final Euro 2008 qualifying match against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

England need only a draw to progress from group E and book their place in next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria. Bent joins a squad that is without the injured Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

Manager Steve McClaren was also boosted by the news that

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is available again after overcoming a tendinitis injury.

Julie Coin of France lands on the court during her loss to comaptriot Amelie Mauresmo in the second round of the Brisbane International in Brisbane, on January 7, 2009. Mauresmo won the match 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 in the tournament used by top players as a warm-up for the Australia Open starting January 19, 2009.

Nicolas Kiefer of Germany grimaces during his singles match against James Blake of the USA, shortly afterwards both players left the court briefly on Session 7 of the Hopman Cup in Perth on January 7, 2009. Blake won the match 7-6, 6-7, 6-4.

Vietnamese fans celebrate after their national football team won the AFF Suzuki Cup final match on December 28, 2008 in downtown Hanoi. Vietnam defeated Thailand by 3-2.

Vietnamese footballers pose with the trophy after victory in the final of The AFF Suzuki Cup against Thailand at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on December 28, 2008. Vietnam won with a score of 3-2.

Thailand's hopes of reclaiming the ASEAN Football Championship title were hanging in balance following a 2-1 loss to a spirited Vietnam side in the first leg final at the packed Rajamangala National stadium .

Oscar de la Hoya (C) of US is pictured on the ring after being defeated by Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during their welterweights showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

England call up Bent for crucial Euro 2008 qualifier

London (dpa) - Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent has been called up to the England squad for their final Euro 2008 qualifying match against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

Sport Photo Gallery

Top Stories

Video