Terry takes his England place
Sunday, March 23, 2003
Article summary
Chelsea FC central defender John Terry is in the England squad to face Liechtenstein and Turkey.
Article body
Chelsea FC central defender John Terry has received his first England call-up in Sven-Göran Eriksson's squad to face Liechtenstein and Turkey in forthcoming UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers.
Fine form
Terry has been in fine form this season and scored in his club's 5-0 Premiership win against Manchester City FC on Saturday. The 17-year-old striker Wayne Rooney, on target in Everton FC's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal FC today, is in a competitive squad for the first time after making his debut in last month's friendly loss to Australia.
Jeffers call
Rooney's place had been in doubt due to a lack of games with Everton, but he started the match on Sunday and is picked along with Arsenal's Francis Jeffers, who scored against Australia on his own international bow.
Seaman misses out
Newcastle United FC player Jermaine Jenas, who also made his debut against Australia, is included in the party, which is missing injured goalkeeper David Seaman, leaving a space for his former Arsenal team-mate, Richard Wright of Everton. Left-back Ashley Cole is another absentee through injury, while West Ham United FC midfield players Trevor Sinclair and Joe Cole both miss out.
Match in doubt
England are second in Group 7, five points behind Turkey with a game in hand. However, their match with Liechtenstein in Vaduz on 29 March is currently under review by UEFA due to security concerns. Turkey then visit Sunderland on 2 April.
England squad
James, Robinson, Wright, G Neville, Mills, Bridge, R Ferdinand, S Campbell, Southgate, Woodgate, Terry, Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Gerrard, Murphy, Dyer, Jenas, Hargreaves, Lampard, Owen, Heskey, Vassell, Jeffers, Rooney.