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Eriksson blends youth with experience

Eriksson: Tough group for the Swedish coach

LONDON, England (CNN) -- England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has blended youth with a dash of experience in his World Cup squad.

West Ham's 20-year-old midfielder Joe Cole is the youngest named on the Swede's 23-man list, unveiled on the Football Association's Web site on Wednesday, which includes 12 players under 25.

But there are also places for veteran defender Martin Keown and 36-year-old Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham.

David Beckham captains the squad even though the Manchester United midfielder is still recovering from a broken bone in his foot and may not be fit for England's World Cup opener against Sweden on June 2 in Saitama, Japan.

But defender Gary Neville, England's most experienced player, has been ruled out by a similar injury. Eriksson's options on the right include United's Wes Brown, Leeds' Danny Mills or Bayern Munich's versatile Canadian-born midfielder Owen Hargreaves.

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Rio Ferdinand of Leeds, Arsenal's Sol Campbell and Gareth Southgate of Middlesbrough fill the central defensive berths while Southampton's Wayne Bridge and Ashley Cole of Arsenal are contenders for a place on the left side of defence.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman, at 38 the oldest member of the squad, is expected to be first choice behind the back four, ahead of Nigel Martyn of Leeds and West Ham's David James.

Beckham is joined in midfield by Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, United teammates Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes and Newcastle's Kieron Dyer, who has proved his fitness after a season of injury problems.

But there is no place for Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman, whose last international appearance came in a World Cup qualifier against Albania last September.

Instead, Eriksson has chosen West Ham's Cole who performed impressively in England's 4-1 win over Paraguay last month.

European Footballer of the Year Michael Owen and Emile Heskey look set to replicate their Liverpool partnership in attack, with Sheringham, Leeds' Robbie Fowler and Darius Vassell of Aston Villa completing the striker quintet.

After Sweden, England face Argentina and Nigeria in Group F.

Goalkeepers David Seaman (Arsenal), Nigel Martyn (Leeds), David James (West Ham).

Defenders Danny Mills (Liverpool), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Leeds), Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Wayne Bridge (Southampton), Wes Brown (Manchester United).

Midfielders David Beckham (Manchester United), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Nicky Butt (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Joe Cole (West Ham).

Forwards Michael Owen (Liverpool), Emile Heskey (Liverpool), Robbie Fowler (Leeds), Darius Vassell (Aston Villa), Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham).

On standby Danny Murphy (Liverpool)