The international career of David Seaman, looks to be over after the Arsenal keeper was not included in England’s squad to face South Africa, Serbia-Montenegro and Slovakia.
Seaman, 39, is a surprising omission as Sven Goran Eriksson opts for West Ham’s David James, Leeds’ Paul Robinson and a surprise inclusion, Ian Walker of recently-promoted Leicester City.
The other major surprise is the inclusion of WayneRooney. The Everton striker damaged medial knee ligaments against Manchester United on Sunday and his club manager David Moyes, claimed he was not fit to travel. However, because Eriksson’s squad is for the friendly against Serbia-Montenegro as well as the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia in June, Rooney has been included.
Birmingham centre-back Matthew Upson was named in the party for the first time. The former Arsenal defender has been in impressive form since moving to St Andrews in January.
England squad:
Goalkeepers: James (West Ham), Robinson (Leeds), Walker (Leicester).
Defenders: Cole (Arsenal), Bridge (Southampton), Mills (Leeds), P Neville (Man Utd), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Southgate (Middlesbrough), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (Birmingham City)
Midfielders: Beckham (Man Utd), Scholes (Man Utd), Dyer (Newcastle), Jenas (Newcastle), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Murphy (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Sinclair (West Ham)
Strikers: Owen (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Rooney (Everton), Vassell (Aston Villa), Beattie (Southampton).
