Frank Lampard and Ugo Ehiogu have been called into the England squad for the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Slovakia and Macedonia.

Veteran goalkeeper David Seaman has also earned a recall after being rested for the friendly against Portugal last month.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has named a 23-man squad for the two games.

There are no places for Lee Bowyer, Joe Cole or Danny Murphy, who has a slight groin strain.

Middlesbrough defender Ehiogu replaces Rio Ferdinand, who needs an exploratory operation on his knee.

Lampard's fine form for Chelsea has seen him recalled after missing out on selection for the World Cup.

Eriksson said: "Both Ugo and Frank have made very good starts to the season. They are playing well and deserve to be included.

"Losing Rio is obviously a blow and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

"However, we do have other very good defenders who are in form and it will be a chance for them to show what they can do."

England play Slovakia in Bratislava on Saturday 12 October and Macedonia at the St Mary's Stadium in Southampton on Wednesday 16 October.

"These are big games as it is important to try and get a good start in qualification," Eriksson said.

"Neither game will be easy, we know that, so it is good to have most of our players fit."

Full England squad:

Goalkeepers: David Seaman, David James, Paul Robinson.
Defenders: Gary Neville, Ugo Ehiogu, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Danny Mills, Jonathan Woodgate, Gareth Southgate, Wayne Bridge.
Midfielders: David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Trevor Sinclair, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Kieron Dyer.
Strikers: Emile Heskey, Michael Owen, Darius Vassell, Alan Smith.