England manager Fabio Capello included fit-again Emile Heskey in his 23-man squad for next week's friendly against Czech Republic but surprisingly overlooked new Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch. Center-forward Heskey last played for England against Russia last September and gets his first chance of playing under Capello after injury forced him to withdraw from the Italian's first squad for last February's friendly with Switzerland. Michael Owen is omitted due to injury, while Dean Ashton, who scored twice in front of the watching Capello when West Ham beat Heskey's Wigan Athletic 2-1 at Upton Park on Saturday, was left out after limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. Jermain Defoe, who scored twice in England's last match, a 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago last May, was one of four forwards named in the squad alongside Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, Theo Walcott of Arsenal and Heskey. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart keeps his place after winning his first senior cap as a substitute against Trinidad. Keeper Paul Robinson, making a fresh start at Blackburn Rovers after a poor season for England and Tottenham Hotspur, is also in the party. David Beckham could win his 103rd cap. After facing the Czechs, England plays Andorra and Croatia in their opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers in early September. Squad: Goalkeepers: David James, Paul Robinson, Joe Hart; Defenders: Wayne Bridge, Wes Brown, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Jonathan Woodgate; Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, David Bentley, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Stewart Downing; Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Theo Walcott, Emile Heskey.
