Keown replaces Adams as skipper

Injury has got the better of Tony Adams again

Martin Keown has been named as England captain for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Finland in Helsinki.

The Arsenal centre-back takes over from team-mate Tony Adams, who was forced to pull out of the squad on Monday, along with left-back Graeme Le Saux.

Manchester United defender Wes Brown has been promoted to the senior squad from the Under-21s to provide defensive cover.

Caretaker manager Howard Wilkinson chose Keown as skipper ahead of other highly experienced members of his squad, such as David Seaman, Dennis Wise and Gareth Southgate.

Martin Keown (left) is Wilkinson's choice as team leader

"Martin has established himself in everyone's eyes as a regular in the team," Wilkinson explained.

"Over the last 20 or so games he has been the most frequent member of the team and I feel his qualities are similar to those of a player like Stuart Pearce."

Keown said he was delighted to be handed the captain's armband.

"I'm very proud to be given the licence to captain the England team. There have been some really great captains over the years and I'm delighted to get selected."

Adams and Le Saux were pulled out of the party which headed to the Finnish capital on Monday morning.

Adams hurt his back in a training session at Bisham Abbey on Monday morning, while Le Saux picked up a calf injury in the defeat by Germany at Wembley.

Le Saux will be sorely missed on the left

Middlesbrough midfielder Paul Ince has also been released because temporary boss Howard Wilkinson could not guarantee him a place in his starting line-up.

With his wife Clare due to give birth in the next couple of days, Ince preferred to stay in England.

"I had promised him before we left that I would be in a position where I could tell him whether he was definitely playing or not," said Wilkinson.

"I have to stress it was amicable and I allowed him to go home as his pregnant wife is being induced tomorrow."

Sheri toasts

Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has been given permission to link up with the squad after being contacted by Wilkinson on Sunday, while Gary Neville travelled despite not training as a precautionary measure after picking up an injury which forced him off at half-time of Saturday's game.

Striker Andy Cole and Paul Scholes were able to train after picking up knocks on Saturday and came through unscathed.

Sheringham, who last played for England in June 1999, was drafted in following injuries to David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.

The 34-year-old has been in good form this season, holding down a regular place in the United starting line-up ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Dwight Yorke.