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September 2,
2002 (Monday)
Eriksson defends
Woodgate selection
Sven-Goran Eriksson
today defended his decision to hand an England
recall to Jonathan Woodgate for Saturday's friendly against Portugal
at Villa Park.
Woodgate was found guilty of affray in December 2001 relating to an
attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib and his return to the England
fold is controversial.
But Woodgate's international ban has now been lifted and Eriksson is
ready to give him a chance to resume an England career that began
with a debut against Bulgaria in June 1999.
Eriksson told a Soho Square press conference that he had no qualms
about calling up Woodgate and his Leeds team-mate Lee Bowyer, who was
cleared of all charges in the same court case as Woodgate.
"We (Eriksson and the FA) talked about it (selecting Woodgate and
Bowyer) before the World Cup and I have no problems with it," said
the coach.
Asked if he would be talking to the Leeds duo about their
responsibilities as England internationals, Eriksson replied: "I
don't think I need to talk to them about that. The whole of England
has read about it for years now."
Eriksson, explaining his reasons for calling up the pair, said: "I've
seen them a lot of times now.
"Woodgate played very well at the end of last season. He's fit again
now (Woodgate was injured in pre-season) and is a very big talent.
"It's the same with Lee Bowyer. He has a lot of energy and he can
play in any position across midfield."
Bowyer will be hoping for an England debut on Saturday and Paul
Robinson, Danny Mills, and Alan Smith, swell the Leeds contingent in
the 20-man squad to five.
Robinson, in the England squad at the expense of dropped Leeds team-
mate Nigel Martyn, could also be set for an England debut.
But there is no place in the squad for 38-year-old Arsenal keeper
David Seaman, although Eriksson was at pains to stress his age had
not counted against him.
"I spoke to David Seaman and told him that as it's a friendly game he
can stay at home and we're going to look at other keepers. But he's
not out because of his age ¡V absolutely not."
Seaman's Arsenal team-mate Martin Keown and Tottenham striker Teddy
Sheringham miss out but Eriksson denied that signalled the end of
their England careers.
"You never know but, especially for a friendly game, I don't think we
should pick them. We should give a chance to other players," he said.
Eriksson admitted Smith's impressive showing for the England Under-
21s in last summer's UEFA Under-21 finals in Switzerland had helped
earn him a call-up.
"He's a good player, a big talent who did very well for the under-21s
in Switzerland when he was one of the best players, according to
David Platt (England Under-21 coach).
"It's normal for him to leave the under-21s and join the seniors. He
can play up front as the first striker or the second striker or out
on the right of midfield."
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