Phillips dropped from England squad

Eriksson has left out Sunderland hitman Phillips

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Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has been dropped by Sven Goran Eriksson for England's World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Albania.

Phillips, who scored against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, is the only striker to be left out from those picked in the squad for the Spain match last month.

But there is better news for his club team-mate Gavin McCann, who has kept his place.

There are no other major surprises in Eriksson's 26-man squad, which is based almost entirely on the larger group chosen against Spain.

  Who's in, who's out

In Steven Gerrard

Out: (dropped)
Kevin Phillips, Ugo Ehiogu, Ray Parlour,
Michael Ball (U21s)

Out: (injured)
Nicky Barmby,
Kieron Dyer

The only player to come in is Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who was injured for that match.

Six players picked against Spain have not been included.

Phillips, Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu and Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour have all been dropped.

Seaman doubt

Newcastle's exciting young star Kieron Dyer and Liverpool's Nick Barmby, who was arguably man-of-the-match against Spain, are injured.

And Everton's Michael Ball has been selected for the under-21s.

Despite speculation to the contrary, Liverpool's in-form midfielder Danny Murphy has not been selected.

Murphy: Missed out despite good form

Eriksson has again kept faith with a very young group of players, even though the games with Finland and Albania are his first competitive tests as England coach.

So the new generation of players like Wes Brown, Ashley Cole and the West Ham triumvarate of Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard are retained from his first squad.

Several England veterans like Gareth Southgate, Paul Ince and Graeme Le Saux are left wondering if their international careers are over.

McCann: Surprisingly retained

Arsenal's 37-year-old goalkeeper David Seaman has been picked, but his participation in the game against Finland at Anfield is in doubt.

Seaman is suffering from a back injury and missed the Gunners' goalless draw at Aston Villa with a back injury.

But he will report for training with the England camp and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said: "I've spoken with England and have said he is not definitely out.

"But they will have to check how he is in the next 48 hours."

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The England squad to face Finland on 24 March (at Anfield) and Albania (in Tirana) on 28 March is:

Goalkeepers: Seaman (Arsenal), Martyn (Leeds Utd), James (A Villa), Wright (Ipswich)

Defenders: G Neville (Man Utd), P Neville (Man Utd), Powell (Charlton), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Campbell (Tottenham), Brown (Man Utd), Ferdinand (Leeds Utd)

Midfielders: Beckham (Man Utd), Scholes (Man Utd), McManaman (Real Madrid), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (West Ham), J Cole (West Ham), Carrick (West Ham), McCann (Sunderland), Butt (Man Utd)

Forwards: Owen (Liverpool), Fowler (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Andy Cole (Man Utd), Sheringham (Man Utd).
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