JONATHAN WOODGATE and Alan Smith should be recalled to the England
squad for the clash with Italy.

That is the message from their Leeds team-mate Rio Ferdinand, who has
ruled himself out of next Wednesday's friendly at Elland Road because
of a knee injury.

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson will tonight name his 23-man party
for the World Cup warm-up match.

And Ferdinand is urging Eriksson to include the Leeds duo - and to
take them to Japan this summer.

As a teenager Ferdinand made Glenn Hoddle's World Cup squad for
France 98.

He said: "Next week's match brings back memories of Peter Taylor and
the game he was in charge of against Italy a year ago.

"He gave the youngsters a chance and it seems to have paid off. Games
like this put people in the shop window and give them an opportunity.

"Obviously I'd like to see Alan Smith and Jonathan Woodgate go to the
World Cup as I did.

"I'd also like to see other youngsters like Joe Cole, Michael Carrick
and Jermain Defoe make the trip."

The FA is bracing itself for controversy if Woodgate and Smith are
selected.

Leeds defender Woodgate, who played for England against Bulgaria
under Kevin Keegan in June 1999, was sentenced to 100 hours of
community service in December.

It followed a conviction for affray after an attack on a student in
Leeds city centre.

Forward Smith, who has made three appearances as a substitute for
England, has had disciplinary problems on the pitch and was suspended
for the match against Holland last month.

But Ferdinand said: "Woodgate is a quality player and everyone knows
that. He's obviously had problems off the pitch but, as a player,
he's great.

"I have played with a lot of centre-halves but he's up there among
the best. I've had a good partnership with him at Leeds and always
feel comfortable alongside him."

Ferdinand was a record £18million buy when he moved from West Ham in
November 2000.

He added: "When I joined Leeds I asked my mates who impressed them
the most and it was Alan Smith.

"He's a good all-rounder and hard-working but his other skills go
unnoticed a lot of the time.

"He also talks about football all the time and playing for England at
Elland Road would be a dream come true for him."

Leeds and England keeper Nigel Martyn is another who feels Woodgate
is the best candidate to plug the gap left by Ferdinand.

Martyn said: "Woody is a great defender who is very quick. He reads
the game well and is strong in the air.

"I think the England manager would like to have a look at him, so
hopefully everything will be cleared and he can be picked. He is good
enough for that level."









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