Eriksson springs England shocks

Ehiogu makes it into Eriksson's first squad

Click here for full squad
Click here for player portraits

Sven Goran Eriksson has selected several surprise names in his first England squad for the friendly against Spain next Wednesday.

The new England coach has selected 31 players despite initially saying he would name only 22.

Charlton defender Chris Powell and Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann were two of the surprise names.

The Swede also selected Arsenal youngster Ashley Cole, West Ham United trio Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough centre-back Ugo Ehiogu.

I have not met the players, just said hello to one or two of them... this is one reason why we chose so many

  Sven Goran Eriksson

But there was no place for Dennis Wise or Paul Ince.

Eriksson has named a larger than expected squad on the proviso that some players may pick up injuries over the weekend.

Eriksson said: "I am sure we don't know everything about every English player. That is why we chose to take a lot of players - 31 - to see them, to know them.

"I have seen Chris Powell of Charlton two or three times. He is a natural left-sided defender so why not see him?

Chris Powell's inclusion is a surprise

"I talked to Howard Wilkinson and I decided that Gareth Barry will play for the Under-21s. I want to see him play.

"We are going to make a lot of changes on Wednesday against Spain after 45 minutes.

"It is important to know that four English teams have played in Europe this week and will be playing again the week after the England game so we don't want to force them too much.

No captaincy clues

"I have not met the players, just said hello to one or two of them. This is one reason why he we chose so many."

Eriksson also insisted Wise and Ince were not necessary out of the England picture for good.

"No, absolutely not. May be we have chosen somebody who should not be there and not pick somebody who should be. I am not saying these are the players we are going to have everytime."

Eriksson refused to be drawn on speculation that David Beckham will be confirmed as his new captain.

"I might know it, but I will not tell you. We will wait until Monday or Tuesday to talk about that," he said.

---

The full 31-man England squad is:

Goalkeepers: Seaman, Martyn, James, Wright.

Defenders: P Neville, G Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Campbell, Ball, Carragher, Ashley Cole, Ehiogu, Powell.

Midfielders: Dyer, Beckham, Scholes, McManaman, Joe Cole, Carrick, Lampard, Parlour, McCann, Butt, Barmby.

Forwards: Heskey, Owen, Fowler, Andy Cole, Sheringham, Phillips.
Back to top