Sven opts for Murphy's law
Sunday, 26 August 2001Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy received his first call-up to the senior England squad tonight for the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Albania.
Murphy was one of seven Liverpool players included in a 25-man squad named by Sven-Goran Eriksson, who omitted Martin Keown and Nicky Butt due to fitness concerns. While David Beckham will join up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday despite coming off at Villa Park with a groin injury today, Chris Powell and Ugo Ehiogu have both lost their places.
David James and Alan Smith are also injured from those included for the friendly against Holland, while there are expected recalls for Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Steve McManaman and David Seaman. Although Smith is out, there is no comeback for Teddy Sheringham, however, and no recall for Kevin Phillips as Eriksson has selected just four out-and-out strikers. Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves has, meanwhile, kept his place in the senior squad as expected.
England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Albania: Seaman (Arsenal), Martyn (Leeds), Wright (Arsenal), G Neville (Man Utd), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Ferdinand (Leeds), Campbell (Arsenal), Brown (Man Utd), Southgate (Middlesbrough), Carragher (Liverpool), P Neville (Man Utd), Mills (Leeds), Beckham (Man Utd), Scholes (Man Utd), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barmby (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Carrick (West Ham), McManaman (Real Madrid), Lampard (Chelsea), Murphy (Liverpool), Owen (Liverpool), Fowler (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Andy Cole (Man Utd)
Filed by Pat Nugent
