Eriksson starts to plan England revival

New England coach Sven Goran Eriksson intends to play two teams against Spain on Wednesday night.

The friendly at Villa Park comes before two 2002 World Cup qualifiers at the end of March which England have to win to stand any chance of reaching the finals.

At the moment the English are bottom of their section and have scored no goals so far in their campaign.

Eriksson announced his first pick as coach today and says he will make many changes at half time from the large group of players he has selected.

The list of names includes two players - Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu and Manchester United striker - Andy Cole - who are suspended from Premiership football from the this weekend for disciplinary offences.

Newcomers are Charlton Athletic defender Chris Powell and Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann.

Young Arsenal left back Ashley Cole and West Ham star Joe Cole are included with Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard also making a step up from under-21 success.

Everton left back Michael Ball and Manchester United veteran Teddy Sheringham are also named by the Swede who took charge of England 41 days ago on a five year contract.

Since taking on his new post as England's first foreign-born manager, Eriksson has seen 25 matches in England and abroad.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, Arsenal defender Martin Keown and Chelsea left back Graeme Le Saux could be in contention for the World Cup matches in March at home to Albania and Finland but the size of the squad list announced today shows that Eriksson has chosen his players with next month in mind rather than the tame friendly in Birmingham against Spain.

His intentions to make major changes for the second half of that match - and announce his plan to do so at this early stage - also points towards the World Cup games as the major motivation for the choices made today.

The striker selection is the least controversial.

Liverpool stars Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler are in the 31 but a smaller squad for the World Cup may force Eriksson to reduce this number. Teddy Sheringham is included for his ability to link play and scoring form while Sunderland's Kevin Phillips may not have long to impress if he comes on against Spain.

Leeds United striker Alan Smith is not picked by Eriksson despite some excellent performances in the Champions League.

Smith scored twice at Anderlecht on Wednesday night and helped end the Swede's career at SS Lazio with the winning goal in Rome last December. There is no place either for left back Danny Mills or goalkeeper Paul Robinson who also impressed in Europe with the Yorkshire team. Mills misses out on a new list of left sided players to try and strengthen a traditional weakness for the Englad team.

Gareth Barry of Aston Villa is sent back to the under-21 team after playing four of the last five England matches while Everton's Michael Ball and Arsenal's emerging Ashley Cole will feature at some stage against Spain. Cole has started the last seven matches for Arsenal and is likely to start at Old Trafford against Premiership leaders Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. His progress has come at just the right time to get Eriksson's attention while Charlton Athletic defender Chris Powell is a veteran at 32 years of age.

The centre back is partnered at Charlton by the well regarded Richard Rufus but it is former Derby and Southend defender Powell who has been included for his first involvement with the national team.

The West Ham trio of Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Frank Lam,pard have been watched three times by Eriksson so far and are having a good season. While their club are not known for consistency these three players are rated extremely highly.

Lampard is the captain of the under-21 team but is now set for the grander stage while the tricky Cole is not yet a well rounded player but has a talent that few in England can match and a wide range of skills.

Carrick may prove to be the best long term prospect for Eriksson though.

This hard running and disciplined player fits well into any team pattern and his technical assurance could add balance and unity to a midfield which has looked amateurish under recent coaches.

Eriksson has not named a captain for this large assortment but will confirm his choice to the media on Monday.

The club will be based at Ryder Cup venue The Belfry from Sunday night and the coach is expected to meet David Beckham after the Manchester United star has played against Arsenal and invite him to continue as captain after his effort in Turin last November.

With some the surprise names on Eriksson's list, Beckham will not know some of the 31 very well at all.