Benitez backs Pennant for England chance

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes Jermaine Pennant is close to receiving an England call-up.

The 23-year-old winger has been impressive since his move to Anfield from Birmingham and in the absence of Aaron Lennon he had been a contender for inclusion in the squad to face Macedonia and Croatia in the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers, but was left out by national team boss Steve McClaren.