SVEN-GORAN Eriksson today named his 23-man World Cup squad after months of deliberation, with his greatest headache having been over the final one or two places.

The official announcement does not have to be made until May 21, giving him some room for manoeuvre in case of injuries. But he needed to give his players due warning for their end-of-season break in Dubai, which starts next Monday.

Eriksson retained a measure of experience for the World Cup as Arsenal veteran Martin Keown was picked alongside youngsters Joe Cole and Wes Brown in his 23-man squad.

Eriksson did not take a gamble on Blackburn's uncapped striker Matt Jansen, preferring to keep faith with Robbie Fowler and Teddy Sheringham, while also picking Darius Vassell.

He turned to Keown as his final selection, preferring the 35-year-old's experience as one of eight defenders, also including 23-year-old Brown, Wayne Bridge and Danny Mills.

Midfielder Nicky Butt was included along with captain David Beckham despite an injury doubt, with Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy placed on standby.

England World Cup squad:

Seaman (Arsenal), Martyn (Leeds), James (West Ham), Ferdinand (Leeds), Campbell (Arsenal), Southgate (Middlesbrough), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Bridge (Southampton), Mills (Leeds), Brown (Man Utd), Keown (Arsenal), Beckham (Man Utd), Scholes (Man Utd), Gerrard (Liverpool), Dyer (Newcastle), Butt (Man Utd), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Joe Cole (West Ham), Owen (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Vassell (Aston Villa), Fowler (Leeds), Sheringham (Tottenham).

On standby: Murphy (Liverpool).