Former Dartford and Gravesend & Northfleet midfielder Jimmy Bullard has been included in the England squad for the first time, for the World Cup qualifiers away to Andorra and Croatia.

The 29-year-old has been given his chance after Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick were all ruled out through injury.

Bullard suffered a career-threatening cruciate ligament injury almost exactly two years ago and was out of the game for 15 months.

He returned to action last season and played a crucial part in Fulham's Premier League survival.

Bullard first moved into the professional game when the then Gravesend boss Andy Ford sold him to West Ham for £35,000. Subsequent moves to Peterborough and Wigan followed before Bullard returned south to link up with Fulham.