The Middlesbrough midfielder has been included in a 26-man party for a squad get-together next week, and will be hoping to press home his claims for a place in the Euro 2004 qualifiers.
Although the shaggy-haired 23-year-old took time to settle after his move from Manchester United, he has matured under influential boss Steve McClaren and is promoted from Under-21 level.
McClaren, of course, was formerly England coach under Eriksson, but quit recently, denying claims it was because Gareth Southgate was overlooked for the 2-2 draw with Macedonia.
David Thompson, who has been a revelation at Blackburn Rovers this season, is retained, and Owen Hargreaves is the only non-Premiership player in the squad.
There was no place again for Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer, who made his debut in the 1-1 draw with Portugal.
The players will meet next Monday as Eriksson bids to assess the form of some of his fringe players, and create a winning team spirit.
Full squad:
David Seaman (Arsenal), David James (West Ham), Paul Robinson (Leeds); Gary Neville (Man Utd), Danny Mills (Leeds), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Leeds), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Wayne Bridge (Southampton); David Beckham (Man Utd), Nicky Butt (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Paul Scholes (Man Utd), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle), David Thompson (Blackburn), Danny Murphy (Liverpool), Trevor Sinclair (West Ham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jonathan Greening (Middlesbrough); Emile Heskey (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Alan Smith (Leeds), Darius Vassell (Aston Villa).
