There was no place in Sven Goran Eriksson's 24-man England squad for Manchester United striker Alan Smith, but team-mates Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Wes Brown and Wayne Rooney all received the nod for next week's fixtures with Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.

Smith has been ruled out of action recently with a nagging ankle problem but has showed signs of sharpness in late substitute appearances, coming close with an audacious lob from the half way line against Fulham on the weekend.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey was preferred to Smith, with Crystal Palace's Andy Johnson retaining his place amongst the firing line. Former Red Devil Nicky Butt is another player not included whilst Arsenal defender Sol Campbell misses through injury.

England play Northern Ireland at Old Trafford on Saturday 26th March before facing Azerbaijan on the 30th in a bid to establish a firm place in their World Cup Qualifying Group.

24-Man England Squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Robert Green (Norwich City).

Defenders: John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Phil Neville (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich, Germany), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle United), David Beckham (Real Madrid, Spain).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace) Michael Owen (Real Madrid, Spain), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Birmingham City).