Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out England's squad to face Italy next week,
placing even greater pressure on Sven-Goran Eriksson's dilemma over his
Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate.

Eriksson names his squad on Saturday, with Arsene Wenger also warning next
Wednesday's friendly would be "very early" for Ashley Cole to play for his
country after only just returning from injury.

However, while Owen Hargreaves is set for promotion and Darius Vassell
should keep his place, it will be the Leeds contingent that comes under
greatest focus for a game at Elland Road.

Ferdinand is definitely out, Woodgate's place is still uncertain and, unless
injuries intervene, it appears likely Alan Smith will be required to stay
down in the Under-21s, thereby effectively ending his World Cup hopes.

Lee Bowyer's lack of form in recent matches should also count him out and
while Danny Mills may be recalled after a ban, only Nigel Martyn and Robbie
Fowler are sure of being picked ahead of a game at their home ground.

Eriksson will make no final decisions until after tomorrow's games,
especially as he must first judge the fitness of Kieron Dyer, whom he has
been desperate to call up ever since taking charge.

The one contender for a first call-up is Blackburn's David Dunn, especially
if Eriksson is worried about Dyer.

But while Andy Cole also misses out due to a domestic ban, the main focus
will still be on whether Woodgate, whose one England cap came back in June
1999 under Kevin Keegan, is picked.

Eriksson has held talks with Football Association chief executive Adam
Crozier over Woodgate's availability after serving his 100-hour community
service punishment for an affray conviction.

The signs have been that he will not be picked in the squad for next
Wednesday's game at Elland Road, thereby effectively ending his hopes of a
World Cup place.

Ferdinand was nevertheless ruled out with a knee injury that requires a
scan.

Leeds boss David O'Leary revealed: "He will not play at Leicester this
weekend and we have withdrawn him from the England squad as well."

That leaves Eriksson with precious few central defensive options, given
Martin Keown is already out and Wes Brown is only just on the comeback
trail.

Sol Campbell and Gareth Southgate are both certainties, while Ledley King,
who was selected for the last friendly against Holland, will be picked again
even though he is out of form.

However, Middlesbrough's Ugo Ehiogu is the only other central defensive
option after returning from suspension.

Of course, Ferdinand's absence could sway Eriksson's thinking, with the
England coach being a known admirer of Woodgate's emerging talent.

Indeed, there have been several reports claiming the Swede wants to pick him
even though he only returned from a six-week injury absence last weekend.

Then again, if the FA were intending to omit Woodgate on principle, it could
be argued this should not change simply due to one injury ahead of one
friendly.

Indeed, there are certainly high-ranking figures at the FA who believe the
defender should not be picked as his conviction would rule him out of
membership of the official England supporters' group.

The final decision rests with Eriksson and Crozier, with no official
announcement of the FA's position scheduled before the squad is officially
announced on Saturday.

On a more positive note, David Seaman is due to return to the squad after a
shoulder injury, while Wayne Bridge should get another chance at left-back.

Michael Ricketts, whose form has dipped since his international debut in
Amsterdam, is set to miss out but Joe Cole should keep his place.

Michael Carrick could also be called up, while Hargreaves is almost certain
to earn another senior promotion after impressing for Bayern Munich.




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