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(Updating with details)
By Mike Collett
LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - 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.
Centre-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 play Andorra and Croatia in their opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers in early September.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic)
