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Barkley and Townsend handed England call-ups

Ross Barkley scored for Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season © PA Photos

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Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend have been given their first senior call-ups to the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

Roy Hodgson has selected the young midfielders after both made promising starts to the season, Barkley with Everton and Townsend with Tottenham.

Hodgson also keeps faith with Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, who scored with his first touch in international football in the friendly victory over Scotland earlier this month.

England's striking options have also been bolstered by Daniel Sturridge, who has scored in both of Liverpool's Premier League games this season.

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster's injury precludes him from the squad, with Celtic's uncapped Fraser Forster back in contention.

England, who are currently second behind Montenegro in Group H, face Moldova at Wembley on September 6 before taking on Ukraine in Kiev four days later.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd