London: Jonjo Shelvey was recalled and Jamie Vardy retained his place in the England squad announced on Sunday for the forthcoming 2016 European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland.
Central midfielder Shelvey, 23, won his only cap against San Marino three years ago and has been called up again by manager Roy Hodgson after some impressive early-season performances for Swansea City.
Vardy, 28, made his England debut in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland in June, but was recently fined by his club Leicester City after footage emerged of him appearing to use a racial slur against a man in a casino.
“On this occasion we are obviously missing some players from the June matches. However, this is compensated by the fact we have players who weren’t available over the summer,” Hodgson said in a statement released by the Football Association.
“Jonjo Shelvey gets another chance as he has been very impressive since the start of the season, whilst Ryan Mason has been unlucky with us — he picked up an injury the last time he was in the England squad.”
Vardy has subsequently met the man he is alleged to have abused and has agreed to pay his fine to a charity of the man’s choice.
He will also attend a diversity awareness course that has been set up by the FA at Leicester’s request.
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick earns a recall, having last played in the 1-1 draw against Italy in March.
Also named in the squad, England captain Wayne Rooney needs just one goal to equal Bobby Charlton’s national goal-scoring record of 49.
Hodgson is missing several players through injury, with goalkeepers Fraser Forster and Ben Foster, defenders Ryan Bertrand, Leighton Baines and Phil Jones, midfielders Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson and forwards Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge all sidelined.
With six wins from their six games to date, England are six points clear of Switzerland in qualifying Group E and can secure a place in next year’s tournament in France by winning their next two games.
They tackle perennial whipping boys San Marino in Serravalle on Saturday before hosting Switzerland at Wembley the following Tuesday.
“This latest squad shows we are working [with] a good number of players with a claim to be England regulars and secure a place in Euro 2016,” Hodgson added.
“Before that there are two matches we must focus on. The players must keep going, play well and look to win every match. I don’t want any let-up and we want to win both these games.”
