England National Football Team Match No. 785

England 1 Sweden 1 [1-1]

Saturday, 10 November 2001

Sweden Pre-Match

All information is complete and includes England's match against Greece on 6 October 2001, the fourth of the 2001-02 season.

Notes

Monday, 5 November 2001 - England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has given Kevin Philips the chance to stake his claim for a ticket to the World Cup Finals.  The Sunderland striker, along with Tottenham midfielder Darren Anderton, was the unexpected name in the 26-man England squad for the friendly against Sweden at Old Trafford on Saturday. Phillips was an unused substitute for Eriksson's first match against Spain at Villa Park in March. But since then he had been consigned to an eight-month, eight-match international exile - and it appeared that his lack of European football with his club was a major factor counting against him.  Injury-plagued Anderton last appeared for England against Italy under then-caretaker coach Peter Taylor 12 months ago, but - as he did for Euro '96 and France '98 - appears to be recovering his form and fitness in time for a major international tournament.  Meanwhile Leeds United striker Alan Smith has also been recalled after an ankle injury ruled him out of Eriksson's last two squads.  Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is also recalled after a one-match absence, the World Cup qualifier with Greece at Old Trafford last month.  David Seaman, Ashley Cole, Nick Barmby and Andrew Cole are ruled out through injury of the squad originally selected to face the Greeks.  Eriksson has also agreed to a request from Real Madrid to release Steve McManaman to play in next weekend's Spanish League game against Real Zaragoza.  Leicester City goalkeeper Ian Walker, Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt, Liverpool striker Michael Owen and Charlton Athletic defender Chris Powell are also back in the squad.   Sol Campbell is still missing because of his ongoing hamstring injury.

Wednesday, 7 November 2001 - England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has injury doubts over Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, West Ham winger Trevor Sinclair and Arsenal defender Martin Keown ahead of Saturday's friendly with Sweden at Old Trafford.  The squad gathered at lunchtime today and, following a long briefing with Eriksson, underwent their first training session at Manchester United's Carrington base.  The trio were unable to play a full part in the session. Keown and Sinclair were restricted to a lighter run-out with physio Alan Smith. Sinclair was wearing strapping on his right ankle, while Keown may have been feeling the after-effects of Sunday's home defeat by Charlton Athletic.  Gerrard, meanwhile, sat out the final 20 minutes of the session.

Thursday, 8 November 2001 - Steven Gerrard was today forced to pull out of England's friendly against Sweden as Michael Owen's hamstring problems resurfaced to put his participation in doubt as well.  Gerrard pulled out of training yesterday with a groin problem and he returned to Liverpool for treatment after the injury had been reassessed this morning.

Friday, 9 November 2001 - Michael Owen has been passed fit to play for England against Sweden at Old Trafford tomorrow.  Owen had a slight hamstring problem yesterday and England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson insisted he would not gamble on the striker's fitness for a friendly. But Owen was able to train today and is fit to face the Swedes.  The 21-year-old Liverpool striker only recently returned to action after injuring a hamstring in the Premiership match with Tottenham Hotspur on September 22.  Owen was put through a rigorous session at Carrington training headquarters this afternoon by Eriksson.

____________________

PY/CG