Sven selects Rooney and axes Seaman
Sven-Goran Eriksson put his foot down and named Wayne Rooney in his squad for next week’s friendly in South Africa, despite worries expressed by Everton boss David Moyes over the teenager’s fitness.
Moyes insisted immediately after yesterday’s defeat by Manchester United that Rooney would be ruled out of the trip to Durban because of a knee ligament injury.
However, England team doctor Leif Sward spoke to the Everton medical staff today, and Eriksson then named Rooney in his latest 25-man squad.
Asked why he had called up Rooney after Everton had said he was injured, Eriksson said on Sky Sports News: “He is having a scan and after that we will see what is happening.
“He will come on Sunday to the hotel where we are and from there we will take a decision on if he is coming to South Africa or not.
“I hope he will be fit as soon as possible – that is a decision we have to take on Sunday.”
Eriksson added: “I got the information yesterday after the games that he had a knee problem and he should have a scan today. Our doctor is talking to Everton’s doctor. Hopefully he is fit.”
The call-up of Rooney and the dropping of David Seaman were the main talking points as Eriksson began his preparations for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia on June 11.
Eriksson omitted Seaman from his plans for the friendly, including Leicester’s Ian Walker instead, while Phil Neville, Matthew Upson and James Beattie also received call-ups.
Seaman could be facing the end of his international career as Eriksson said: “I talked to David a couple of days ago and told him for this time we stick to the goalkeepers we had against Liechtenstein and Turkey. David James has done very well and I do not know what is happening with David for next season.
“We are talking one game now. To change now and change in August is not the way to do it.”
Asked if Seaman had gone down the pecking order, the England coach said: “You might say that. James is doing well and as long as we don’t know what is happening with David, it is the right way.
“If David goes on playing you never know. If he is playing and playing well, he might come back.”
Eriksson was already without Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Nicky Butt and Francis Jeffers due to injury, while a persistent knee problem has also ruled out Jonathan Woodgate.
That enabled John Terry to keep his place, while earning Upson another call-up, although Wes Brown, who sustained an ankle problem yesterday, and Ledley King missed out.
Up front, Eriksson could have turned to Leeds striker Alan Smith, but instead restored Southampton forward Beattie, who was a strange omission last time around.
Eriksson has, meanwhile, agreed to leave behind the Arsenal and Southampton players involved in The FA Cup final when the squad depart for their initial friendly against South Africa on May 22.
With Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge, as well as Beattie, joining up a week later, Danny Mills and Phil Neville are his leading options at full-back.
Owen Hargreaves is absent until after the German Cup final on May 30, while David Beckham, who is suspended for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia, will only take part in the South Africa friendly.
The Manchester United midfielder, who is suspended for the Slovakia game, will travel as expected to South Africa, but will not be involved for the Serbia and Montenegro (June 3), and Slovakia (June 11) games.
