Cleverley earns surprise England call-up

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has been handed his first England call-up following the withdrawals of Jack Wilshere and Michael Carrick from the squad to face Holland at Wembley on Wednesday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had already claimed that Wilshere would not play due to an ankle injury that prevented the 19-year-old from playing any part in the Gunners’ friendly defeat to Benfica on Saturday evening.

That belief was confirmed this lunchtime, with Wilshere heading back to the Gunners for further treatment ahead of the Premier League opener at Newcastle.

Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker - who started at Sheffield United - backed Cleverley, who he played alongside for England Under-21s, to have an impact in the senior squad.

He said: “Tom’s a great player. We saw yesterday (in the Community Shield) what he can do on the ball.

“He can deliver a ball, he’s very good at crossing and very good at passing.”

Walker welcomed the inclusion of Cleverley and his United team-mate Danny Welbeck - another England Under-21 player - in the squad.

“It’s good to have familiar faces around.”