World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Oct 12, 2012 at 8pm UK

England
5-0
San Marino San Marino

Rooney, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain

Leighton Baines preferred to Ashley Cole for England?

By Joe Fish, Reporter

Published: October 12 2012 | 13:51

Last updated: October 12 2012 | 16:58

Roy Hodgson's reportedly opts for Leighton Baines ahead of Ashley Cole for England's qualifier against San Marino, despite the FA overlooking his recent tweet to include him in the Three Lions squad.

Roy Hodgson will reportedly drop Ashley Cole in favour of Leighton Baines for England's World Cup qualifier against San Marino tonight.

Cole was included in the Three Lions squad despite being charged by the FA for his offensive tweet regarding their report on the John Terry racism trial.

However, in-form Everton left-back Baines will be selected ahead of the experienced Chelsea defender, who has accumulated 98 international caps, for the visit of the Group H minnows to Wembley, according to Sky Sports News.

Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are expected to play on the flanks, with stand-in captain Wayne Rooney supporting Manchester United teammate Danny Welbeck, who is preferred to Jermain Defoe in attack.

Another United pair, Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley, will play alongside each other in midfield, while Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill form the central defensive partnership after Terry's England retirement.

With Glen Johnson suspended, Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kyle Walker is poised for his first competitive Three Lions start.

Possible England team: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Carrick, Cleverley; Walcott, Rooney, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Welbeck