Latest Team news Sven announces England Squad 20/05/02 Here it is then, Sven's final 23 to travel to Japan and KOrea announced at last. Matt Jansen, Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville all miss out, while Darius Vassell, Danny Mills, Wes Brown and Joe Cole all squeeze in. Nicky Butt has been included, but should his injury keep him out then Danny Murphy has been called in as a stand-by midfielder. Here's the squad in full: Goalkeepers David Seaman Nigel Martyn David James Defenders Danny Mills Wes Brown Sol Campbell Rio Ferdinand Gareth Southgate Martin Keown Ashley Cole Wayne Bridge Midfielders David Beckham Owen Hargreaves Nicky Butt Steven Gerrard Paul Scholes Kieron Dyer Joe Cole Strikers Michael Owen Darius Vassell Emile Heskey Teddy Sheringham Robbie Fowler England smash Paraguay at Anfield 18/04/02 New England captain Michael Owen got his reign off to a dream start by scoring the opoening goal from a header within five minutes. Danny Murphy, Darius Vassell, and Teddy Sheringham got the other goals as Sven's side romped to a 4-0 victory against a very poor Paraguay side. Three of England's goals came from deflected shots - hopefully England haven't used up all their good fortune before the World Cup. Among the most impressive performers were Stevie Gerrard, Darius Vassell, Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves - proving that we don't need David Beckham to play well. Sven names Owen as captain... 16/04/02 Englad boss Sven Goran Erikkson has surprised pundits by selecting Michael Owen as captain for the friendly against Paraguay in the absence of David Beckham. Original guesses were that Man Utd's Gary Neville, one of the most experienced England internationals, would wear the armband. Our worst nightmare... David Beckham broke a metatarsal bone in his foot that may keep him out of the World Cup. The injury was obtained during his side's 5-2 aggregate defeat of Deportivo la Caruna, the same fixture that he picked up another ankle injury in last week. There are mixed opinions as to how long the injury will take to heal, with estimates ranging from four to eight weeks. England's first fixture, against Sweden on June 6th, is in just under eight weeks. Sven: Club V Country Sven Goran Eriksson will provoke a huge club-versus-country conflict by insisting on sending out his strongest possible England XI against Paraguay at Anfield in 10 days' time. This unexpectedly belligerent stance by the previously compliant England coach is certain to produce a storm of protest from Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and Gerard Houllier Beckham only out for a week or two England manager Sven Goran Eriksson is just as releived as the rest of the country as doctors say captain David Beckham will only be out for about two weeks. The injury is thought to be two deep gashes and slight bruising. It was originally feared the Becks might miss the World Cup after he was stretchered off, apparently in agony, during Manchester United's 2-0 Champions League victory over Deportivo la Caruna. Spain striker Diego Tristan was the culprit of a wreckless challenge a minute from time and was only shown a yellow card. Liverpool Half way to Quarterfinals The England striking partnership of Michael Owen and Emile Heskey worked well during Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League defeat of German table-toppers Bayer Leverkusen. Finland international Sami Hyypia got the goal for Gerard Houllier's men, who is now confident that his side will meet fellow Englishmen Man Utd in the Semi-final. Hopefully the success of the English clubs will inspire confidence during the summer's World Cup finals.
England v Paraguay (17/04/2002) As he did at Elland Road against the Italians, Sven is likely to use 9-11 subsitutes again at Anfield in what will be England's last friendly before the World Cup.
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