West Ham skipper comes in Kieron Dyer...

We can exclusively reveal that Joe Cole has been called up to the England squad to face South Africa, Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia...he replaces the injured Kieron Dyer.

Newcastle United's Kieron Dyer has withdrawn from the squad with injury and his place will go to West Ham's Joe Cole.

Cole was initially scheduled to meet up with David Platt's Under-21 squad but will now meet up with the Seniors instead.

England Head coach Sven Goran Eriksson told TheFA.com: "I am disappointed to lose Kieron. However, in Joe Cole I know I have a very good player who already has international experience and I am confident he'll do a good job for the team."

Joe Cole - Stat Pack

Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Islington, London
Date of Birth: 8 November 1981
Weight: 9 08
Height: 5' 7''
Club: West Ham United
Position: Midfielder

1998/99 West Ham Utd 8 appearances, 0 goals
1999/00 West Ham Utd 22 appearances, 1 goal
2000/01 West Ham Utd 30 appearances, 5 goals
2001/02 West Ham Utd 30 appearances,  0 goals
2002/03 West Ham Utd 36 appearances, 4 goals

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