England call up Joleon Lescott to replace the injured Michael Dawson

England call up Joleon Lescott to replace the injured Michael Dawson

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.

However Roy Hodgson has opted not to bring in additional cover for Lennon.

Lescott, 30, 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 unavailable for the 1-0 defeat to Fulham on Sunday after he aggravated hamstring and groin injuries during Thursday night's Europa League loss to Inter Milan.

Dawson, who had been recalled to the England squad by Hodgson, had to come off at half-time against the Cottagers at White Hart Lane and will not be with the national team for Friday's game against San Marino, which comes four days before the trip to Montenegro.

"Lennon won't be able to make it," said 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)."

On Dawson, Villas-Boas had said: "He 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.

"I think Michael will be assessed by the England team doctors, they will be in communication with our medical department to find out if he will make it or not. He probably won't, but it's something that they have to decide between them."