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Wise, Ince excluded Three surprise names in Eriksson's England squad
Updated: Sunday February 25, 2001 11:17 AM
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -- Charlton's Chris Powell, Middlesbrough's Ugo Ehiogu and Everton's Michael Ball were the surprise names in Sven-Goran Eriksson's first England squad announced on Friday for next week's game against Spain. There was no room for veterans Dennis Wise and Paul Ince but, with 31 names announced, he has plenty of options. The first foreign coach to take charge of England, Eriksson has included the expected 13 names from Manchester United and Liverpool and also called up newcomers who had been widely tipped in the media -- Arsenal's 20-year-old leftback Ashley Cole and Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann. He was unable to call open injured players such as Arsenal centerback Martin Keown, Aston Villa defender Gareth Southgate and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard. The West Ham trio of young midfielders -- Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard -- all were included and so was the one overseas star, Real Madrid's Steve McManaman. "I am not so stupid that I think I know every player as well as I ought to," said Eriksson, who left Italian club Lazio in January to take over six months earlier than expected. "I am sure we don't know everything about every English player. That is why we chose to take a lot of players to see them, to know them. "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. "I have seen Chris Powell of Charlton two or three times. He is a natural left-sided defender so why not see him?" Eriksson has so far watched 25 games and his busy schedule took in Bolton-Blackburn in division one on Friday, Derby vs. Aston Villa on Saturday and the League Cup final between Liverpool and division one Birmingham on Sunday where he may be asked to present the trophy. Eriksson's appointment has been criticized by those who believe that England's soccer team should only be coached by an Englishmen. Others have argued that a succession of English coaches had failed so why not try someone with new ideas. Asked what he had been searching for during his short but busy spell, Eriksson replied: "You want speed, good technique, intelligent players football-wise, good character, and winners who hate to lose. "There are many good young players in this country. It's up to us to see if they are ready for the big international games.' By contrast, at 31, Powell is called up late in his career although he has performed well for Charlton this season as a left-sided midfielder after a spell with Derby County. McCann, 23, has also been in standout form for Sunderland while centerback Ehiogu, whose only previous appearance was as a substitute against China five years ago, is recalled despite missing several league games through injury. Eriksson, who also has to guide England through World Cup games against Finland and Albania in March and Greece in early June, selected a higher-than expected squad and said that he would make sweeping changes at half time of the Feb. 28 game against the Spaniards so that he could see as many as possible in action. He also explained that the size of the squad was because he probably would lose players through injury over the weekend program. Eriksson said he would not rule out recalling experienced players such as Wise or Ince. "I'm not saying these are the players we will have every time," the Swede said. "The door is open to every English player, including Ince and Wise." He said he had an idea who he would name as captain but would not reveal who it would be until early next week. "I have a starting lineup and formation in mind but we have to wait for Saturday and Sunday to see who is fit," Eriksson said. "We will work on that on Monday." The squad : goalkeepers -- David Seaman (Arsenal), Nigel Martyn (Leeds), David James (Aston Villa), Richard Wright (Ipswich) defenders -- Gary Neville (Manchester United), Philip Neville (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Leeds), Sol Campbell (Tottenham), Michael Ball (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Ugo Ehiogu (Middlesbrough), Chris Powell (Charlton) midfielders -- Kieron Dyer (Newcastle), David Beckham (Manchester United), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Steve McManaman (Real Madrid), Michael Carrick (West Ham), Joe Cole (West Ham), Frank Lampard (West Ham), Ray Parlour (Arsenal), Nicky Butt (Manchester United), Gavin McCann (Sunderland), Nick Barmby (Liverpool) forwards -- Emile Heskey (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Robbie Fowler (Liverpool), Andy Cole (Manchester United), Teddy Sheringham (Manchester United), Kevin Phillips (Sunderland).
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