English Premier League club Liverpool's striker, Peter Crouch, has been called up by Sven Goran Eriksson for England's remaining two group 6 World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland.

Sol Campbell, Ledley King and Alan Smith have also been included in the twenty four man squad, but Charlton's highly rated Danny Murphy misses out.

Scott Parker and Emile Heskey didn't make the squad, and Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves are injured. England are at home to Austria on Saturday the 8th of October, with their final qualifying match against Poland on the 12th.

Mr Eriksson has hinted that Crouch will start at Old Trafford against Austria because 'enfant terrible', Wayne Rooney, is suspended. The England manager has also suggested he would change from the 4-5-1 formation he used against Wales and Northern Ireland.

"It's a pity Wayne Rooney is suspended for the game, I can't say what formation I will use, but I'll probably have two up front," he told the assembled Press earlier in the week.

One of the two in attack is almost certain to be Michael Owen, who should be fit despite missing out for Newcastle on Saturday.

Owen limped out of a training session with Newcastle on Friday but his coach, Graeme Souness said: "It's only a dead leg. He should be fine for the England game. Another bonus for England is Sol Campbell's return after injury, his inclusion had been much anticipated after his strong showing for Arsenal in recent weeks, and Eriksson admits he has a welcome headache with so many outstanding central defenders to choose from.

"It was a concern that Campbell had been out," the England coach added. "I've spoken to (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger about that several times, but it seems that Campbell is now very,very fit and playing well. "I have to make the decision whether to leave out John Terry,Rio Ferdinand or Sol Campbell. I have an idea in my head."

Wenger believes Campbell should be England's first-choice central defender, getting the nod ahead of all other contenders. He said: "I would pick Sol. He has a little bit more than the rest. He's got what the others haven't got power, pace andexperience."It's a difficult choice as I rate Terry. I also rate Jamie Carragher as he was one of the most influential players in Liverpool's European campaign last season. He was absolutely outstanding in the two games against Chelsea."

"Ferdinand has always been in there as he's a bit more technical than the three others. It will be a difficult choice but I just feel that Sol has the edge over the rest."

Campbell's recall along with King means there is no place for Birmingham's Matthew Upson in the squad, while Stephen Warnock's lack of regular first-team action at Liverpool has cost him his place.England must win both games to claim the group title and automatically qualify for the finals in Germany, although they are already in a strong position to progress as one of two best second-placed teams from the eight European qualifying groups.

England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria (8 October) and Poland (12 October):

Goalkeepers:
Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Robert Green (Norwich), Chris Kirkland (Liverpool/West Brom)

Defenders:
Ashley Cole (Arsenal),Phil Neville (Everton),Luke Young (Charlton),Jamie Carragher (Liverpool),Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea),Sol Campbell (Arsenal),Ledley King (Tottenham)

Midfielders:
David Beckham (Real Madrid),Steven Gerrard (Liverpool),Frank Lampard (Chelsea),Joe Cole (Chelsea),Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea),Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham),Alan Smith (Man Utd),Kieran Richardson (Man Utd)

Strikers:
Michael Owen (Newcastle),Wayne Rooney (Man Utd),Jermain Defoe (Tottenham),Darren Bent (Charlton),Peter Crouch (Liverpool).

(© 2005 worldcuplatest.com)