Greening wins seat in England soccer squad
Stephen Wood, Reuters, London
Middlesbrough midfielder Jonathan Greening won a surprise place in an England training squad announced on Monday as coach Sven- Goran Eriksson suggested a senior call-up for 17-year-old Everton striker Wayne Rooney was not far away.
Greening, the former Manchester United player, has yet to win a full international cap but has impressed in Boro's excellent start to the English premier league season.
Eriksson's 26-man party will get together for two days of training from November 18, although no match is involved.
Rooney will not be there -- he has been included in the under- 21 squad -- but he could be drafted in for England's next match in February 2003.
"I have seen him play and I think he is a brilliant talent," Eriksson told reporters.
"It might be too early for him (for this squad) but who knows in February?
"I will watch him again...I think he should be in the under- 21s at least once before being picked for the senior team."
Rooney became the youngest scorer in premier league history when his stunning late goal helped Everton beat Arsenal 2-1 in the English premier league last month.
If he wins his first senior cap in February, he would become the youngest player to represent England in more than a century, eclipsing Michael Owen, who debuted aged 18 years and 59 days.
Eriksson said he hoped every player in the 26-man squad would join up at their health club retreat in Hertfordshire next week, even if they are injured.
But he said he would understand if any injured players -- including Arsenal's David Seaman and Manchester United's Nicky Butt -- did not make it.
"We sent a letter to clubs a year ago, explaining that we would only have three friendlies in a season, but that we might take players away for a get-together," he said.
"The clubs were happy with that, and I hope the players will come. If they don't, if they stay back for treatment, I will understand.
"But this is a really good opportunity to get all the players together again. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone."
Greening, 23, has won England under-21 honors and has blossomed under Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren, who stepped down from his England coaching role earlier this month.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and David Thompson of Blackburn Rovers keep their places after being handed surprise call-ups for the England games against Slovakia and Macedonia last month.
Liverpool's Emile Heskey and United defender Rio Ferdinand, absent through injury from the last squad, return.
Eriksson, who met with Football Association officials on Monday and afterwards insisted he had no intention of resigning despite speculation to the contrary, said he was working on finding a successor to McClaren.
"It will not happen for this squad, but we have lots of time before our next match," he said.
England's opponents in its friendly next February are yet to be confirmed.
England is second behind Turkey in its 2004 European championship qualifying group after beating Slovakia and drawing with Macedonia.