Pitcher Roger Clemens, seen here in an excerpt from a "60 Minutes" interview to be aired Sunday, has been asked to testify before a House committee investigating drugs in sports.

WASHINGTON — First, Roger Clemens issued denials through his lawyer and his agent.

Then the seven-time Cy Young Award winner put a video statement on the Internet.

Next? He sat down for a TV interview to be aired this weekend.

And now, for the first time, the Rocket has been given the chance to tell his side of the story while under oath.

Clemens, his pal Andy Pettitte and their former trainer, Brian McNamee, were among five people asked Friday to testify before a House panel looking into the Mitchell Report on drugs in baseball, nearly three years after the same committee heard from sluggers Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro.

Also invited to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Jan. 16 were ex-Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, whose allegations were central to the findings released last month by former Senate majority leader George Mitchell, and former major leaguer Chuck Knoblauch.

The most anticipated witness would be Clemens.

"Roger is willing to answer questions, including those posed to him while under oath," said Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin. "We hope to determine shortly if schedules and other commitments can accommodate the committee on that date."

McNamee has said he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone; Clemens has denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

Although no one had agreed to show up for the hearing as of Friday, the committee's announcement listed Clemens and others under the heading, "Witnesses will include."

Said the committee's minority staff director, David Marin: "We always presume that invited witnesses will appear."