Tuesday, October 3 2006 16:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Andrew Johnson has pulled out of the England squad for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Macedonia and Croatia because of a hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old Everton striker picked up the injury in the last minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Manchester City and will not be fit to play the Group E ties against Macedonia on Saturday and Croatia on October 11.

Johnson is the top scorer in the Premiership with six goals, and has helped Everton stay unbeaten after seven matches following his 8.6 million pound summer move from Crystal Palace.

As a result Darren Bent has been promoted to the senior squad after the Charlton striker was initially named in the England under-21 squad.

England head coach Steve McClaren told www.thefa.com: "Andy's out of the games against Macedonia and Croatia with a hamstring injury which he picked up in the last minute against Manchester City on Saturday.

"It's a real blow because he's made a massive impact already with Everton this season and I've been hugely impressed by him. He's got such a great attitude and is a constant threat to any defence.

"He was certainly knocking very hard on the door for a place in the team, so it's a disappointment to lose him.

"However, I've spoken to (England Under-21 boss) Peter Taylor and I can confirm that Darren Bent will now join the senior squad when we meet tomorrow.

"We're fortunate that we are able to call Darren up from the Under-21s. He's already got experience of being involved in several senior squads and he's a player with excellent ability and a real goal threat," he said.

As well as Bent, McClaren can count on three other strikers for the qualifiers in Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) and Peter Crouch (Liverpool).