England - Ukraine

[Pinturicchio]

Eriksson goes for youth

Jermain Defoe and Shaun Wright-Phillips are among several young players Sven-Goran Eriksson has picked in the England squad to face Ukraine.

Glen Johnson, Chris Kirkland, Matthew Upson and Alan Smith were also selected as Eriksson backs up his plans to build for the future.

Nicky Butt was included as well but Phil Neville, Joe Cole and Ian Walker were all omitted.

Eriksson will also be analysing players to replace the retired Paul Scholes.

Walker was the third choice keeper at Euro 2004 but it seems the Swede prefers Kirkland who is fit again.

Eriksson in Scholes bid

Central defenders Sol Campbell and Jonathan Woodgate are injured and Rio Ferdinand is suspended so Matthew Upson returns to the squad.

Ledley King and Jamie Carrager keep their places from the squad Eriksson chose for Portugal.

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But the battle to take over from Scholes in midfield is the most interesting aspect with Kieron Dyer, Wright-Phillips, Owen Hargreaves and Jermaine Jenas hoping to impress.

In attack, Wayne Rooney is also out injured so the England coach will cast his eye over Defoe and Smith who both just missed out on the Euro 2004 squad.

Eriksson watched Defoe grab an equaliser for Tottenham against Liverpool on Saturday while Smith has started his Manchester United career in impressive fashion.

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Goalkeepers: James (Man City), Robinson (Tottenham), Kirkland (Liverpool);

Defenders: G Neville (Man Utd), G Johnson (Chelsea), A Cole (Arsenal), Bridge (Chelsea); Terry (Chelsea), King (Tottenham), Carragher (Liverpool), Upson (Birmingham);

Midfielders: Beckham (Real Madrid), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Dyer (Newcastle), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Butt (Newcastle), Wright-Phillips (Man City), Jenas (Newcastle);

Forwards: Owen (Real Madrid), Heskey (Birmingham), Vassell (Aston Villa), Defoe (Tottenham), Smith (Man Utd).

bbc.com