Blame players not Eriksson - Cole

Ashley Cole said it is the duty of his fellow England players to make amends for the 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland in their World Cup qualifier.

Criticism was aimed at coach Sven-Goran Eriksson following the defeat, and now England must beat Austria and Poland to guarantee a place at Germany 2006.

"There was a lot of criticism after the Northern Ireland game," Cole said.

"It's the players who played the game who have to put it right. It is nothing to do with the manager."

Cole added: "He picked a way to play - but we didn't make it work.

"Now we are left with the job of winning both remaining matches in the group - and we've got to be focused and determined about that."

Meanwhile, the Arsenal star hinted that he would like his Highbury team-mate Sol Campbell to return to the England starting XI for Saturday's qualifier against Austria.

Injuries have ruled 31-year-old Campbell out of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's squads for five months.

But with Campbell now fit again, Cole said: "Any team would love Sol in the side. He brings the best out of others.

"It's Sven's job who to pick and it is a tough one. Hopefully he will come to the right decision."

Crouch called into England squad

After regaining both his fitness and form, Campbell has given Eriksson a selection dilemma - having to pick two from Campbell, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Meanwhile, Eriksson looks as though he will be spared another difficult situation with the news that Michael Owen will be fit.

The 25-year-old striker missed Newcastle's 0-0 draw at Portsmouth on Saturday after suffering a dead leg in training.

But a Newcastle spokesman said: "Michael is expected to join up with England within the next day.

"Fortunately for England, he will be fine. By about Wednesday or Thursday, he should be okay."

One surprise exclusion from the England squad, according to Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, is that of Danny Murphy.

Curbishley told BBC Radio Five Live: "I'm a bit disappointed and I'm sure Danny will be.

Match report: Charlton 2-3 Spurs

"He's playing excellently this season and had another good game on Saturday."

Eriksson went to The Valley on Saturday to watch several England hopefuls - including Murphy - in action in Charlton's match against Tottenham.

Murphy impressed despite Charlton's 3-2 defeat, but did not do enough to convince Eriksson.

"Sven was there and perhaps Danny's in his thoughts, but not just yet," added Curbishley.

In addition to regular midfielders David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips, Eriksson picked Spurs' Jermaine Jenas and Manchester United duo Alan Smith and Keiran Richardson.