THE ANNOUNCEMENT of Sven-Göran Eriksson’s first competitive England squad since the European Championship finals brought a subtle shift in the natural order of things, with Emile Heskey omitted from the 23-man party that faces World Cup qualifying fixtures against Austria and Poland over the next nine days. It was not a revelation designed to provoke mass gnashing of teeth across the country.
Heskey has been a totemic figure for the England head coach, in spite of his frequently inconsistent form, but by leaving him out for the first time for any reason other than injury, Eriksson has recognised that others have superseded the 26-year-old. Eriksson watched Heskey, below, play for Birmingham City, his new club, on Saturday, but the afternoon was most remarkable for Jermain Defoe’s goal for Tottenham Hotspur.
Even lacking the injured Wayne Rooney, Eriksson has felt able to discard Heskey, whose 43 caps have resulted in a meager haul of five goals. Defoe and Alan Smith have been performing admirably for Spurs and Manchester United respectively, Michael Owen is still regarded as a fixture in the team, in spite of making his debut for Real Madrid on the substitutes’ bench, and Darius Vassell, of Aston Villa, provides pacy back-up.
“The door is not closed for Emile Heskey,” Eriksson said last night, “but I’ve seen a lot of Alan Smith and Jermain Defoe recently and they deserve their chance this time. Emile has never let England down and he is still very much part of my thinking.”
In Vienna on Saturday, Smith will make his first competitive start since being dismissed in the final minute of England’s home match against Macedonia almost two years ago. He has impressed greatly since leaving Leeds United for Old Trafford — in terms of discipline, as well as his five goals — and will link up with Owen against Austria. Smith also began this month’s friendly international against Ukraine.
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That occasion brought a superb debut goal for Shaun Wright-Phillips, who retains his place in Eriksson’s squad, although a back injury, which will be examined by England’s medical staff, is likely to cause his withdrawal. At the other end of the age spectrum, Gareth Southgate will feel his international career is over, especially as Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate remain absent. Phil Neville also misses out.
Joe Cole has returned to the squad after injury but Chris Kirkland, who was not involved in Liverpool’s defeat away to Bolton Wanderers yesterday, is omitted.
ENGLAND SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: David James (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Robert Green (Norwich City)
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DEFENDERS: John Terry (Chelsea), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Matthew Upson (Birmingham City), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Gary Neville (Manchester United)
MIDFIELDERS: Nicky Butt (Newcastle United), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Joe Cole (Chelsea)
STRIKERS: Michael Owen (Real Madrid), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Alan Smith (Manchester United), Darius Vassell (Aston Villa)