POWELL AND McCANN IN SVEN`S FIRST SQUAD

The Swede has also selected Everton`s Michael Ball to face Spain, while Arsenal youngster Ashley Cole and Michael Carrick of West Ham have been given the opportunity to earn their first international caps. Middlesbrough`s Ugo Ehiogu is also recalled after a lengthy absence from the international scene.

Click here to see Friday's press conference.

Click here to hear the England press conference.

Robbie Fowler has marked his return from injury by being given the nod from Eriksson, as have Liverpool partners Michael Owen and Emile Heskey, while West Ham`s young trio Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick are all included.

"I am quite new in this country," said Eriksson at the press conference. "I have been to a lot of games over the last two or three months.

"It is a friendly so we have taken to watching a lot of players to see and get to know them for the next game.

"We will not always take 31. I saw Chris Powell two or three times and he is a natural left-sided defender so why not see him. I talked to Howard Wilkinson and I decided that Gareth Barry will play for the Under-21s so I will see him the day before we play.

"Gavin McCann is a modern midfielder, he has quality but he can be much better as he is still young. I am encouraged to see him and the rest of them.

"As for the West Ham midfielders, they are young, all three of them, but what I have seen so far of them, they are very good.

"I have not met the players yet, I have said `hello` to one or two of them but it is one reason why I have called up so many players.

"I am not different from any other coach or manager in the world. I want speed, good technique, intelligent players football-wise, good character, winners. It is very important.

"I am sure that there are many good young players in this country but it is up to me and them to see if they are ready for the big international games. Many have already played international games for their clubs and I am very happy because we might have four English teams in quarter finals in Europe and that is wonderful.

"We left out some who ought to be there but, after five weeks, it is very difficult. I am not saying they are the players we will have every time.

"The doors are open to every English player for sure.

"I am not so stupid to think that I know every player. I talked to a lot of managers and people, listened a lot and this is our side.

"In one month, I will name the squad for the qualifiers, it will not be the same exactly but most of them will probably be included. I have the starting line-up more or less in mind but we have to wait fot the weekend games so we must wait until Monday.

"I might know who my captain is but I will not tell you . We will wait until team is together.

"It is up to us to find out if everyone is ready or not. Give us some time and hopefully we can be at the same level as the club sides in Europe."

England squad:

David Seaman (Arsenal), David James (Aston Villa), Richard Wright (Ipswich), Nigel Martyn (Leeds); Rio Ferdinand (Leeds), Phil Neville (Manchester United), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Sol Campbell (Tottenham), Michael Ball (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Ugo Ehiogu (Middlesbrough), Chris Powell (Charlton); Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), David Beckham (Manchester United), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Steve McManaman (Real Madrid), Joe Cole (West Ham United), Michael Carrick (West Ham United), Frank Lampard (West Ham United), Ray Parlour (Arsenal), Gavin McCann (Sunderland), Nicky Butt (Manchester United); Nick Barmby (Liverpool), Emile Heskey (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Robbie Fowler (Liverpool), Andy Cole (Manchester United), Teddy Sheringham (Manchester United), Kevin Phillips (Sunderland).