The England coach accepts that picking either of the Leeds duo for the World Cup could have overshadowed the preparations of the squad.

There is still the possibility of protests ahead of the game at Villa Park, while both players face the threat of a civil legal action against them.

But Eriksson, who also called up Leeds youngsters Alan Smith and Paul Robinson, insists he will show his players as much forgiveness as his own children as he declared: ''You can't punish people all of their lives''.

Woodgate and Bowyer were suspended from international duty in January 2000 after their arrests following an attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib in Leeds city centre.

Woodgate, who was capped once under Kevin Keegan in 1999, was convicted of affray and given a 100-hour community service punishment, meaning his international ban was extended until the start of this season.

With Sol Campbell ruled out through injury, Woodgate a ''very big talent'', said Eriksson should either start alongside Rio Ferdinand or replace Gareth Southgate later on.

Bowyer, meanwhile, is one of nine midfielders in a 20-man squad, with Steven Gerrard and Danny Murphy both recalled while Frank Lampard, Nick Barmby and David Dunn miss out.

However, Eriksson stressed David Seaman was still central to his plans despite reversing his original intention and resting him for this friendly.

The consequences of being omitted could be more serious for Nigel Martyn, who has now lost out to Robinson with England as well as at Leeds.

Despite a few new faces, Eriksson has retained the bulk of his World Cup squad, even if Darius Vassell, Paul Scholes and Robbie Fowler are all injured, along with Campbell and Gary Neville.

He believes England have a better chance of success at the Euro 2004 finals than at the World Cup but accepts his key players namely Michael Owen, David Beckham, Scholes and Gerrard need to be fit.

''When you talk about players like Owen, Beckham, Scholes, Gerrard, you are always worried about their fitness levels and I know that Owen and Gerrard have had problems in the past,'' he said.