Eriksson springs Keown surprise

England coach believes Arsenal veteran can be 'father figure' to youngsters as he announces World Cup squad

When the music finally stopped, at 9.30am yesterday, a surprised Martin Keown was found sitting in one of the 23 chairs allocated to England's World Cup adventurers. Less than a month earlier he had not been included, despite Rio Ferdinand's absence with injury, in a larger squad for England's final friendly. Then, with Sven Goran Eriksson watching, Keown stood firm against Middlesbrough as Sol Campbell and Ugo Ehiogu both limped out of the FA Cup semi-final. A 41st cap against Paraguay followed.

On such simple twists can an international footballer's fate be decided. Keown, though not good enough for the first-choice Arsenal team – Tony Adams was chosen ahead of him for the FA Cup final – is good enough for England. Not that he is alone in such distinction. It is a measure of the strength of English club teams that two other squad members, Wes Brown and Nicky Butt, would also be omitted from a full-strength Manchester United side, while Darius Vassell has struggled to retain his place at Aston Villa.

But Keown's is the unexpected inclusion, the beneficiary of Eriksson's decision to take two players for every outfield position. "He is a very good defender and a marker," said Eriksson at a press conference at London's Café Royal. "He can take a man out – and I don't mean by kicking." Mark Viduka is among those who might demur at the last comment and the 35-year-old Keown's propensity to find trouble is one reason his selection is unexpected. Others are his limited distribution and that, with Brown and Mills, England have six centre-backs. Even George Graham might have drawn the line at five.

Of the players who helped England reach Japan, Gary Neville and Nicky Barmby, who are injured, Steve McManaman, who was among those receiving a personal call, Phil Neville and Andy Cole miss out. Cole, having never played in a major tournament, promptly announced his retirement from international football. "I'm sorry for him," said Eriksson, adding: "He can always change his mind." For Neville it was his second near miss, he was one of the players omitted by Glenn Hoddle in 1998. Phil Neville has been in every England squad for three years and it is the first party without either Neville since March 1995. Jamie Carragher was not considered. He requires a knee operation.

The squad will meet up on Monday and, after training at Arsenal's practice ground, fly to Dubai for four days of rest and recuperation before moving on to South Korea. Two players will be missing. Butt and David Beckham, who will host most of the squad and Eriksson at a private party on Sunday, will remain in England for treatment. Should either fail to recover Danny Murphy, who will also remain in England, will be called up.

Omitting the eighth midfielder, which Murphy would have been, is a risk. As well as Beckham and Butt there are injury concerns about Kieron Dyer and Steven Gerrard. Eriksson, who suggested that both Wayne Bridge and Emile Heskey could play left-midfield if need be, added that he had taken this into account but could just as easily suffer injuries to defenders. Indeed, most of them have been injured this spring.

"There have been one or two changes in the last few weeks," Eriksson added. "It is a young squad but players like Beckham and Scholes, though young, have a lot of international experience. I hope the older players, Seaman, Keown, Sheringham, will be like 'fathers'. They can be leaders. They have more experience of World Cups than I do."

The least experienced player is Joe Cole, the only member of the squad not to have started a full international. "Joe has something special," Eriksson said. "He can change things. In a 23-man squad you must have such players. He is young but Michael Owen was even younger in 1998."

Eriksson was less expansive when pressed on the one great mystery surrounding his management. In 13 matches he has called up 46 players but not Graeme Le Saux, widely regarded as the most in-form left-sided English player in the Premiership. It cannot just be indiscipline (Le Saux, incidentally, was booked twice in 33 internationals) as he has chosen Danny Mills and Keown. Eriksson said: "If I think hard I might think of a reason but it would not be right to give you reasons for players I have not included." Eriksson also refused to be drawn into saying England would win the World Cup but did say: "If we can survive the group stage anything is possible." He added: "I am looking forward to it. We have been working towards this for a year and four months."

And then what? Eriksson has been linked with Manchester United and Lazio and, while the former job remains occupied, the latter might be available. Given the invasion of privacy Eriksson endured after his affair with Ulrika Jonsson became public, the likelihood of him moving on was thought to have increased. However, he sought to quash the rumours when he said: "I don't know about any speculation – probably because for the last few weeks it has been better for me not to read the newspapers. I have a contract and I will be England manager unless Adam [he indicated the watching Adam Crozier] throws me out."

The expression of the Football Association's chief executive made it clear that was not on the agenda. Not now, and not in June, whatever England's results. Which is wise. This is a decent squad but, collectively, it does not have the experience to be considered a great one. Not yet.