Lescott called up by England (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Lescott called up by England

8:25pm Sunday 17th March 2013 in National Sport News © Press Association 2013

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has been added to the England squad after Tottenham duo Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon were both forced to pull out through injury.

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has opted not to bring in additional cover for Lennon.

However, with Rio Ferdinand virtually certain to sit out next Friday's World Cup qualifier in San Marino to ensure he is fit for the crucial encounter with Montenegro in Podgorica four days later, Lescott has been drafted in as Dawson's replacement.

Lescott has struggled to make an impact at City this season.

He did start last weekend's FA Cup win over Barnsley but was an unused substitute for Saturday's defeat at former club Everton.

England are due to report for duty at St George's Park on Monday evening when any further fitness concerns will be addressed given Sir Alex Ferguson has already given assurances Ferdinand will be there.

Lennon was omitted from the Spurs squad that lost to Fulham after he suffered hamstring and groin injuries during Thursday night's defeat to Inter Milan.

Meanwhile Dawson had to come off at half-time during that 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane.

"Lennon won't be able to make it," said Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas. "He has been struggling a lot with injuries. We risked him the other day against Inter Milan and he is on the brink of rupturing his muscle so we have decided to take him out of this game. He has groin and hamstring (injuries).

"Michael felt his (hamstring) muscle going in the first half. If we had brought him on in the second half we would be risking him a major injury."