Beckham to play on the right Pick your own England team

Sol Campbell, Ledley King and Alan Smith have also won spots in a 24-man squad, but Danny Murphy misses out.

Scott Parker and Emile Heskey failed to make the grade while Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves are injured.

England host Austria on Saturday 8 October, with their final qualifying match against Poland four days later.

Eriksson has hinted the Crouch will start at Old Trafford against Austria with Wayne Rooney suspended.

The Swede has also suggested he would ditch the 4-5-1 formation he used against Wales and Northern Ireland.

"It's a pity striker Wayne Rooney is suspended for the game. I can't say what formation I will use, but I'll probably have two up front," he told BBC Radio Five Live earlier in the week.

I can see Rio being dropped for Campbell From FR Have your say on 606

One of the two in attack is almost certain to be Michael Owen, who should be fit despite missing out for Newcastle on Saturday.

Owen limped out of a training session with Newcastle on Friday but after Saturday's draw at Portsmouth, Magpies boss Graeme Souness said: "It's only a dead leg. He should be fine (for England)."

Campbell's return after injury had been much anticipated after his strong showing for Arsenal in recent weeks, and Eriksson admits he has a welcome headache with so many outstanding central defenders to choose from.

I just feel that Sol has the edge over the rest Arsene Wenger

"It was a concern that Campbell had been out," the England coach added.

"I've spoken to (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger about that several times, but it seems that Campbell is now very, very fit and playing well.

"I have to make the decision whether to leave out John Terry, Rio Ferdinand or Sol Campbell. I have an idea in my head."

Wenger believes Campbell should be England's first-choice central defender, getting the nod ahead of all other contenders.

He said: "I would pick Sol. He has a little bit more than the rest. He's got what the others haven't got - power, pace and experience.

"It's a difficult choice as I rate Terry. I also rate (Jamie) Carragher as he was one of the most influential players in Liverpool's European campaign last season. He was absolutely outstanding in the two games against Chelsea.

"Ferdinand has always been in there as he's a bit more technical than the three others. It will be a difficult choice but I just feel that Sol has the edge over the rest."

Campbell's recall along with King means there is no place for Birmingham's Matthew Upson in the squad, while Stephen Warnock's lack of regular first-team action at Liverpool has cost him his place.

England must win both games to claim the group title and automatically qualify for the finals in Germany, although they are already in a strong position to progress as one of two best second-placed teams from the eight European qualifying groups.

England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria (8 October) and Poland (12 October):

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Robert Green (Norwich), Chris Kirkland (Liverpool/West Brom)

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Phil Neville (Everton), Luke Young (Charlton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Ledley King (Tottenham)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Alan Smith (Man Utd), Kieran Richardson (Man Utd)