Gareth Barry will captain England against Ghana

England manager Fabio Capello has named midfielder Gareth Barry as captain for the friendly against Ghana at Wembley.

Barry, 30, will lead a much-changed side from the one that beat Wales 2-0 in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Saturday.

John Terry skippered England that day but is one of five players rested, with Andy Carroll set to start on Tuesday.

Michael Dawson, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney are back with their clubs and Aaron Lennon returns to Spurs with a minor hamstring problem.

The winger was set to start on Tuesday but felt discomfort after Monday’s training session which prompted Capello to allow him to leave.

“Some of the players have played a lot,” explained Capello. “They should only play three games in eight days. I think four games in 10 days is too much. I respect the clubs and the players.”

Capello said he will make “about seven changes” for the game against World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana.

“Joe Hart will play in goal, we will have Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka at centre-back and Leighton Baines will play at left-back,” he stated.

“Barry will be the captain and Carroll will play up front. Scott Parker will play if he is fit but he has got a little problem. I will decide on Tuesday if he plays for 90 minutes or however long.”

Focusing on his choice of Manchester City’s Barry as captain, Capello said: “He is a really good player, a good captain and he’s also the player with the most England caps in the squad now.”

Barry, who has amassed 45 caps for England, replaces Terry, who was reinstated as skipper by Capello last week.

Source: BBC