England call-up puts Rooney in line for record

Wayne Rooney – the swaggering man-child, the teenage sensation or, to some, simply 'The Kid' – is set to become the youngest-ever footballer to represent England. Sven Goran Eriksson will today, after all, acknowledge the breathtaking march the young Everton striker has made across English football this season by naming him in his England squad for Wednesday's friendly against Australia.

If ever there was any fear that there would be a lack of interest from the public, it is safe to say that it will be banished now. Also, if Rooney takes the field at Upton Park he will, at just 17 years and 110 days, become England's youngest player since 1900 when detailed records began. To the delight of Everton fans, the mark he will beat, by a clear 324 days, is that of Liverpool's own ageing wonderkid, Michael Owen. It means Rooney, with just 25 first-team appearances, five goals, six yellow cards (plus one red) will skip the Under-21 set-up completely.

Having answered one will he/won't he question, Eriksson attempted to dispense with the second – whether he will stick around long enough to see Rooney reach the legal age to have a post-match celebratory drink – when he denied yesterday that he had received any approach from Barcelona.

"These reports are incorrect," he said. "I have never talked to Barcelona. Managing England is a big, big job and I am happy and proud to have it. I want to finish my job with England. I have never said that I was going to quit if I didn't get the players for the friendly against Australia. I read it in the papers but that has never been my words."

Nevertheless, the simmering antagonism with some of England's top clubs over selection has bubbled up again, not helped by the Football Association's ban for Steven Gerrard this week. Eriksson made clear yesterday the importance he places on the squad he will announce tonight on the FA's website. "As our only friendly before the European Championship qualifiers, it is a really important game."

It is, however, difficult not to have sympathy for both sides. Eriksson has sacrificed three friendlies – other European nations have played at least twice more than England this season – and will continue with his mass substitutions. But he needs to generate some cohesion and gather his best squad.

Meanwhile, the managers of Manchester United and Arsenal, for example, know there is only 62 hours between the end of Wednesday's match and the start of their fifth round FA Cup tie at Old Trafford. Then, the Champions' League starts again three days later.

Trying times, especially as Eriksson knows that last autumn's draw against Macedonia in Southampton has put his side on the back foot. After surely a routine victory against Liechtenstein at the end of March, the must-win game will come against Turkey, currently five points clear in Group Seven, at the Stadium of Light a few days later. Anything less than a win and England are looking at the play-offs at best as their route to Portugal.

But there are grounds for optimism, something Eriksson referred to yesterday when he confirmed that there will be "fresh names" in the squad. The Southampton striker James Beattie is definitely in, especially as Alan Smith is ruled out by injury, and he may be joined by West Ham United's Jermain Defoe.

In goal, Richard Wright can expect to be recalled – although David James is likely to start – with both Russell Hoult and Paul Robinson unlucky to miss out. However it is the form of any number of midfield tyros that is of greater interest – players such as Jermaine Jenas, Matthew Oakley, Scott Parker and Sean Davis. Above all, Frank Lampard is certain of inclusion and may well be in the starting line-up. Another player who has rediscovered his form, Gareth Barry, can also look forward to selection.

Running through the names and things suddenly start to look brighter for England and Eriksson. What will be the true test, however, is how many of whatever squad he picks are able to play come tomorrow night.