England's squad

THE official announcement does not have to be made until May 21, but this is Sven Goran Ericksson's current preference.

GOALKEEPERS:

David Seaman (Arsenal) Age 38 Starts 64 Subs 4 Caps 68 Goals 0

Entering the twilight of his career, Seaman has returned from the shoulder injury which interrupted his domestic season to reclaim his position as England's first-choice keeper. Eriksson has often not used him in friendlies, but has always returned to him for competitive games when he is fit.

Nigel Martyn (Leeds) 35 17 4 21 0

Martyn has never quite managed to force his way ahead of Seaman in Eriksson's thoughts. Critics point to the way that he conceded goals against Romania at Euro 2000 as well as Greece at Old Trafford, but he has been an experienced and consistent mainstay of a young Leeds side.

David James (West Ham) 31 3 4 7 0

The timing of his knee injury against Holland last August could hardly have been worse as he was challenging for at least the number two spot, if not Seaman's jersey. He finally returned in November and while the Calamity James' tag from his Liverpool days is now behind him, he is still contesting at best a substitute's role in Japan.

DEFENDERS

Rio Ferdinand (Leeds) 23 15 5 20 0

After moving to Leeds, he has put the bright city lights' behind him and his game and outlook have matured immensely. After being an unused substitute at France '98, he missed out on the squad completely at Euro 2000 but is now England's first-choice centre-back.

Sol Campbell (Arsenal) 27 41 3 44 0

Took time to regain form and fitness after his controversial move last summer from Tottenham to Arsenal. But while his England partnership with Ferdinand has not yet quite gelled completely, Campbell has grown in stature as the season has progressed and is a relative veteran of the last World Cup.

Ashley Cole (Arsenal) 21 7 0 7 0

Possibly the find of Eriksson's reign so far, Cole has brought left-sided attacking flair back to the side. Question-marks remain over his defensive skills, as he admits, and Wayne Bridge has emerged as a contender for his place while the Arsenal full-back has been out with knee problems. Faces a battle to regain his left-back spot but is the favourite to do so.

Gareth Southgate (M'boro) 31 37 10 47 1

Forever associated with his Euro 96 penalty miss in some minds, Southgate has shown tremendous character to put that behind him in a career noted for consistency. An articulate figure who believes he has benefited from working with Steve McClaren at Middlesbrough, he offers a capable - and possibly, some would argue, more consistent - alternative to Campbell.

Wayne Bridge (Southampton) 21 30 3 0

Left his World Cup challenge late but has come through on the blindside. Initially a left-sided midfielder at Southampton, Bridge has prospered ever since moving back to full-back. Made his England senior debut in Amsterdam in February and immediately looked accomplished, matching that display against Italy and Paraguay.

Danny Mills (Leeds)24 (25 May 18)14 5 0

Has impressed with his performances for Leeds for much of this season, as well as his cameo roles for England, especially as he offers an extra attacking edge. However, he has started to show signs of tiredness over recent weeks and his temperament remains a concern. Gary Neville's injury effectively sealed his place in the squad.

Wes Brown (Man Utd)23 2 2 4 0

Eriksson never lost his faith in the Manchester United defender during his dip in form earlier this season, followed by injury problems. When he finally returned to action in the title run-in, he proved his versatility to cover at right-back and centre-back, leading to his late addition to the squad even after missing a run-out in the Under-21s due to a freak injury last month.

Martin Keown (Arsenal) 35 39 2 41 2

Now facing the last major tournament of his career, Keown is determined to make up for sitting on the sidelines at France '98. He took time to make his mark under Eriksson after initial injury problems and a fractured leg intervened again this season, but other injuries earned him a late summons against Paraguay and his experience has proved the key to his call-up.

MIDFIELDERS

David Beckham (Man Utd) 27 46 3 49 6

Has grown in stature since being handed the captaincy by Peter Taylor against Italy. Now the heartbeat of Eriksson's side, his career has turned full circle since that France '98 red card. His broken metatarsal bone in his left foot was a major blow but the signs are now promising that he will be fit for the tournament.

Paul Scholes (Man Utd) 27 40 2 42 13

A favourite of each England coach he has played under for tremendous workrate, touch and scoring ability from midfield. Preferring to avoid the limelight, Scholes failed to adapt to a new, advanced role at United earlier this season but has since flourished again after moving back into his favoured central midfield position.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 21 (22 on May 30) 9 1 10 1

Keegan's greatest misfortune was only being able to select Gerrard twice due to injury problems which have now improved. He can be an England regular for many years to come, offering bite, vision and movement. Has the potential to become the complete international package, lacking only top-level experience.

Kieron Dyer (Newcastle)23 5 4 9 0

Eriksson was unable to select him for his first 12 games in charge but retained faith throughout, believing he could answer the left-sided problem. By his own admission, Dyer's display against Paraguay was a "stinker", but he retains the class, pace and belief to make an impact in Japan after missing out on the Euro 2000 squad completely.

Nicky Butt (Man Utd) 27 10 8 18 0

Previously one of the supposed lesser lights at Old Trafford, Butt has grown in authority this season, assuming responsibility in the wake of injuries to Roy Keane and David Beckham. He is the sort of unsung hero who rarely, if ever, lets a team down and gets through all the hard work that allows others to display their attacking skills.

Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich) 21 1 3 4 0

Could have played for Canada or, eventually, for Germany but choosing England was never in doubt. Having initially come to prominence in this country during Bayern's Champions League campaign last season, he made his debut against Holland in August last year but has returned afresh for the past two friendlies and versatility has proved the key to his selection.

Joe Cole (West Ham) 20 0 4 4 0

Eriksson has described Cole as his "fantasy" player and that ability to transform games has ensured his call-up as he has the rare quality of being able to go past opponents. He has managed to add more responsibility and bite to his game, as was seen against Paraguay, after his naivety had shone through the previous month against Italy.

On Stand-by: Danny Murphy (Liverpool) 25 0 3 3 1

Made his England debut as a substitute against Sweden at Old Trafford last November and impressed with his endeavour and one-touch passing. A dip in form saw him cast out of the squad for the next friendly against Holland but injuries earned him a recall against Italy and he scored against Paraguay, albeit with a deflected strike. Again, versatility has proved the key.

STRIKERS

Michael Owen (Liverpool) 22 24 10 34 15

Having announced his arrival on the international stage in stunning style against Argentina at France '98, Owen's England form suffered a dip before emerging as a genuine world-class striker again. Deservedly named European player of the year for 2001 and stand-in captain against Paraguay, his hat-trick in Munich has now surpassed even that solo strike in St Etienne.

Emile Heskey (Liverpool) 24 11 11 22 3

Eriksson is a firm admirer of the Liverpool forward, even if his goalscoring ratio for his club has been criticised during lean spells. Heskey's movement, pace and strength ensure that he is an all-round performer, with several appearances on the left for England, although Eriksson favours using him up front.

Robbie Fowler (Leeds) 27 11 13 24 6

Hailed as possibly the most natural English finisher around, Fowler looked Owen's most convincing strike partner against Mexico and Greece last season before Heskey took over. It was a relief for England that he left Anfield and his career has seemingly been revived at Elland Road but Eriksson seems to prefer Heskey's pace and power up front.

Darius Vassell (Aston Villa) 21 (22 on June 13) 2 1 3 2

Emerged from virtually nowhere in the World Cup running with a stunning volley on his England debut in Amsterdam. A quiet individual who has started to flourish for Aston Villa this season, Vassell has electric pace like Owen and confirmed his squad place with another impressive display against Paraguay, including a deflected goal.

Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham) 36 30 15 45 11

In a predominantly young squad, there needs to be a handful of experienced heads and those are exactly the qualities that Sheringham provides. Made his England debut in 1993 and has since played at Euro 96 and France '98 even if he missed out on Euro 2000. His move to Tottenham guaranteed him regular football and he is the ideal substitute.

Danny Murphy is on stand-by