Gerrard set to win 100th England cap

LONDON - Reuters

Captain Steven Gerrard is set to become the first Liverpool player to reach a centurion of England caps. EPA photo

Steven Gerrard is set to become the sixth England player to win 100 caps after being named in Roy Hodgson’s squad to play Sweden in a friendly in Stockholm next week.

Gerrard, 32, was included in the 23-man party after Hodgson originally suggested that he would be among some senior players rested for the game. However, the manager changed his mind and Gerrard is now expected to reach the milestone but Ashley Cole, who also has 99 caps, will have to wait for his century.

Cole, who missed Chelsea’s Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Nov. 7 with a hamstring injury, is also a doubt for Liverpool’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Nov. 11.

There was a welcome return for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who has overcome ankle problems and could make his first appearance for England since playing against Switzerland in June of last year.

Osman, Sterling, Shelved in squad

Everton’s Leon Osman earned his first call-up and Liverpool youngsters Raheem Sterling, 17, and Jonjo Shelvey, 20, were named in the squad for the first time after being invited in as replacements earlier this season.

If Gerrard plays he will join Peter Shilton (125), David Beckham (115), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105) as England’s sixth centurion.