Darren Anderton has been in impressive form for Spurs
Coach Sven Goran Eriksson has picked a 26-man squad, but there are no surprise inclusions.
Alan Smith returns after injury, as does Charlton defender Chris Powell.
And Chelsea's £11m summer signing Frank Lampard is recalled to the squad after being dropped from the final World Cup qualifier against Greece.
Lampard was left out after he was forced to apologise following drunken antics in a hotel which upset Americans grieving after the 11 September terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Steve McManaman is absent because he will remain in Spain to play for Real Madrid.
Leicester's Ian Walker has been drafted in as a goalkeeping replacement for Seaman.
Trevor Sinclair is again named in Eriksson's squad, despite handing in a transfer request at West Ham.
Michael Owen returns to the squad after missing the Greece game with injury.
Eriksson told the FA's website: "I think Kevin Phillips is doing very well at the moment.
"I have seen him play a couple of times, we have had him watched by our scouts and Tord Grip has also watched him.
"I think he is playing much better this season and so I am interested to see him."
Sunderland assistant manager Adrian Heath said: "We're delighted. It's not been a particularly good start to the season for the club so it's great that Kevin has been recognised in spite of this.
"I just hope he gets the opportunity to play and so does everyone connected with the club."
Heath insisted Phillips goal-scoring ability would transfer on to the international stage.
He added: "If he gets the chances he will score goals, we just hope he can prove himself.
"I believe Kevin Phillips will score goals at whatever level he plays at."
Meanwhile Anderton was delighted to be back in the England set-up after recovering from yet another injury.
The player dubbed `Sicknote' has made a habit of regaining full fitness in time for major championships.
It appears he has done so again after undergoing an operation last summer.
"At that time all I was thinking about was playing football again, let alone playing for England," said the Spurs man.
"I was over in America during the summer, England were playing games, my contract hadn't been sorted out and it was tough not quite knowing what was happening.
"That's all part of football I'm afraid - highs and lows and I've had plenty of both.
"I was out there for three months and while I do know people out there, it was difficult.
"People have had a go about my injuries but not too many have slaughtered me about the way I play.
"I don't take anything for granted but it's nice when I look back to the summer. It's nice to be rewarded.
"Playing for England is something I've enjoyed and I feel lucky to be back," he told Tottenham's official website.
England squad: Martyn, Wright, Walker; Keown, Ferdinand, Mills, Powell, Carragher, G Neville, P Neville, Southgate, Ehiogu; Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Murphy, Gerrard, Sinclair, Lampard, Anderton; Heskey, Owen, Fowler, Phillips, Sheringham, Smith.