But in between, Anderton, to use racing parlance, has come through on the rails to earn a place in the squads for Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup finals.

He made a telling contribution in both of those tournaments - and now he is back in contention for the 2002 World Cup finals, a year after winning the last of his 29 caps to date.

Anderton has been called up for the first time by Sven-Goran Eriksson for the friendly international with Sweden at Old Trafford on Saturday.

It is a reward for his form this season in a central midfield role and also staying fit after recovering from undergoing an Achilles operation in March.

Now Eriksson wants to have a closer look at Anderton, who won his first cap seven years ago against Denmark.

He said: "I saw Darren a couple of times last season and I think he was not fit. He didn’t play very well and he played in different positions.

"I’ve seen him two or three times this season and he’s becoming better and better and playing regularly. At this moment he plays inside but I think he can play to the right and maybe to the left.

"I don’t know him at all at the moment, only what I have seen from the stands, and it will be good to take a closer look."

The same scenario applies to Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips, whose impressive form in a struggling side has seen him recalled by England for the first time in eight months.

Phillips was an unused substitute in Eriksson’s first match in charge against Spain at Villa Park in March which followed on from six caps acquired under Kevin Keegan and caretaker coach Peter Taylor.

But since then he has been out of the picture and has spelt out his frustration at not being given another opportunity - until now.

This season he has looked sharp and has scored five goals in 11 games for the Black Cats.

Eriksson said: "Last season Kevin Phillips struggled a little but this season he is doing much better.

"I have seen him play a couple of times and our scouts and Tord Grip have also watched him.

"He is quick, has got good technique and he is a goalscorer. I think he is an international player."

Phillips faces plenty of competition for places up front, even in the absence of the injured Andy Cole.

Michael Owen demonstrated that he has overcome the hamstring problem which forced him out of the nerve-jangling World Cup qualifier against Greece with a double strike against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Owen will be part of a Liverpool trio of strikers with Robbie Fowler and Emile Heskey, plus evergreen Teddy Sheringham, whose introduction helped turn the game against Greece, and the recalled Alan Smith of Leeds.

Eriksson is a big fan of Smith and he has already made three substitute appearances under him against Mexico at Pride Park, the away game with Greece in Athens and Holland at White Hart Lane in August.

Now Smith is fit again after seven weeks out of action with an ankle injury suffered against Arsenal in the second match of the season and a genuine contender for Japan and South Korea if he seizes his opportunity.

Eriksson has also hinted that West Ham midfielder Trevor Sinclair could win his first cap in the problem left-sided role.

He said: "Maybe we are going to try and have a little look at him. He has done very well. I saw him last week and he played very well for West Ham."

Frank Lampard is recalled after being left out of the squad to face Greece in the aftermath of his drinking session with other Chelsea players at a Heathrow hotel the day after the terrorist attacks on America.

Eriksson then warned of the need for England players to be ultra-professional in their approach on and off the field without making any direct reference to Lampard.

But he also intimated that the door would remain open to the former West Ham player and he has brought him back.

Of the original squad chosen to face the Greeks, David Seaman, Ashley Cole, Nick Barmby and Ashley Cole are absent through injury.

Eriksson has also given Real Madrid permission to play Steve McManaman this weekend against Real Zaragoza even though he felt he was "the best player on the pitch" in their 2-0 win over Barcelona on Sunday.

Sol Campbell (hamstring) and Wes Brown (knee) are again absent but Ian Walker, a late call-up against Albania and Greece, Chris Powell and Nicky Butt are recalled to the squad proper.

Eriksson confirmed that Nigel Martyn will start in goal and admitted: "I think there will be many substitutes. We might not make 11 changes but we will certainly see a few of the players in action.

"It might also be possible that we try something different in terms of our formation - either on Saturday or in February against Holland. We are discussing that at the moment."