Sunderland Striker Gets England Call-Up
23 February 2012, 13:35 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell's got his first call-up to the England Squad.
England caretaker boss Stuart Pearce has backed "exciting talent'' Fraizer Campbell to thrive at international level after handing the Sunderland striker a surprise call-up for the friendly against Holland.
It's an amazing turnaround in fortunes for Campbell, who has suffered so many injuries during his time on Wearside.
The former Manchester United man now joins Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge as the strikers in a youthful 25-man squad that also includes Manchester City full-back Micah Richards.
The 24-year-old came back into the Black Cats side this season after nearly 18 months out of the side and has made an immediate impact with two goals under new boss Martin O'Neill.
Pearce, who has managed Campbell at under-21 level, said:
"I know Fraizer quite well because the heads-up I've got is I've taken the majority of these boys to under-21 tournaments. He was fantastic on the road with us at under-21 level.
He's come back into the Sunderland side and given them a real lift. I spoke to Martin about him at a game a few days ago and he spoke very highly of him.
He's worked fantastically well to get back from the injury he's had. He's an exciting talent. I think he'll thrive by coming into this environment.''
The England squad for the international friendly against Holland at Wembley on February 29th is:
S Carson (Bursaspor), J Hart (Man City), R Green (West Ham); G Cahill (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), L Baines (Everton), G Johnson (Liverpool), P Jones (Man United), M Richards (Man City), C Smalling (Man United), K Walker (Tottenham); G Barry (Man City), T Cleverley (Man United), S Downing (Liverpool), A Johnson (Man City), S Gerrard (Liverpool), J Milner (Man City), S Parker (Tottenham), A Young (Man United), T Walcott (Arsenal); D Bent (Aston Villa), F Campbell (Sunderland), D Sturridge (Chelsea), W Rooney (Man United), D Welbeck (Man United).
Fraizer Campbell Factfile
Born September 13th 1987
2004
Joins Manchester United's academy.
2006
Signs first professional contract with Manchester United.
2006-07
Joins United's Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp on loan for the season and scores 21 goals in 33 games.
2007
August 19th - Makes senior United debut as a substitute for Michael Carrick in the 1-0 Manchester derby defeat.
October - Joins Championship side Hull on loan, scoring twice on home debut against Barnsley.
2008
May - Wins promotion to the Premier League as Hull beat Bristol City in the play-off final, finishing the season with 15 goals.
September - Joins Tottenham on a season-long loan, but goes on to make just one league start.
2009
July - Signs for Sunderland on a four-year contract for an initial £3.5 million.
August 15th - Makes Black Cats debut in win at Bolton
September 22nd - Scores first Sunderland goal in Carling Cup win over Birmingham.
2010
August 29th - Suffers torn cruciate knee ligaments against Manchester City. A later recurrence of the injury in training means he is out for a total of 17 months.
2012
January 29th - Scores on comeback as a substitute in 1-1 FA Cup draw with Middlesbrough.
February 23rd - Called up to Stuart Pearce's England squad for friendly against Holland at Wembley.
