Caps and goals correct before the friendly against South Korea
** Injured after the squad was announced and so replaced by Danny Murphy
*** Injured after the squad was announced and so replaced by Trevor Sinclair

On May 9, Danny Murphy (midfield) of Liverpool was named as first reserve in case of injury. On May 11, Steven Gerrard (midfield) limped off with a groin injury in Liverpool's last game of the Premiership season - he will not take any part in the World Cup as he needs an operation - see the latest on the Steven Gerrard injury here - Danny Murphy took his place in the squad but later had to pull out of the World Cup too due to injury (see below).

Kieron Dyer picked up a knee injury in Newcastle's last Premiership game on May 11 and so Trevor Sinclair was called up on standby - fortunately Dyer's injury is not as bad as first feared and he has been named in the final squad submitted to FIFA on 21 May 2002 - see the latest on the Kieron Dyer injury here

On Wednesday 22 May, Danny Murphy got a foot injury towards the end of the training session and cannot now play in the World Cup - his place will be taken by the second reserve, Trevor Sinclair - see the latest on the Danny Murphy injury here.

Following on from their participation in the Under 21 tournament, Under 21 captain David Dunn (Blackburn - midfield) and Alan Smith (Leeds United - striker/winger) were put on standby in case there were any more England player injuries before the tournament started but they were not required.

To see how the England squad performed in the World Cup 2002 please click here.
 

                                                            



REPORT FROM 9 MAY 2002 WHEN THE SQUAD WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED:

When Eriksson announced this squad, David Beckham and Nicky Butt were injured. Nicky Butt picked up a knee ligament strain on 6 May and so is not expected to train for two weeks. See the latest on the David Beckham injury here.

We predicted the 23 man squad the week before it was announced - the only inaccurate prediction was in expecting Phil Neville to be picked rather than Martin Keown - see the predicted squad and reasons for the predictions here - Martin Keown had been excellent in central defence in last few games in the Premiership and he helped Arsenal win the title at the Manchester United Old Trafford ground the day before the squad was announced. Phil Neville was said to be distraught at being left out again (he just missed out on selection for the World Cup 1998 too).
 

Also just missing out on a World Cup place were:

Goalkeeper: Richard Wright
Central Defence: Ugo Ehiogu, Ledley King and Gareth Barry
                          (Ledley King and Gareth Barry are in the Under 21 squad)
Right Back: Gary Neville (see the injury latest here) and Jamie Carragher
Left Back: Chris Powell and Graeme Le Saux
Midfield: Frank Lampard, Steve McManaman, Lee Bowyer, Darren Anderton, Nick Barmby and Ray Parlour
Attack: Matt Jansen, Andrew Cole, Alan Smith (in the Under 21 squad), Kevin Phillips and Michael Ricketts


Frank Lampard (Chelsea) will also be extremely disappointed that he is not in the final squad as he had been included in the last few friendly squads. Eriksson said that Jamie Carragher was out before he selected the squad because he will probably need a knee operation after the Premiership season finishes.

Eriksson said that it was hard having to tell people (and leave messages on their answer phones) that they had been left out of the squad. He also said "it is important to have good reserves and good doesn't always mean the best players - the players have to be able to handle the situation - behaviour and temperament is important for a long trip abroad".

On being questioned on whether England could win the World Cup, Eriksson said that he was confident that England were going to have a good World Cup - He also said "We are not favourites but we can be dark horses and then, who knows".