Heskey's power can open the door for Owen

He will not be the only one. Arsenal's Ashley Cole is the latest to join the transfer rumour mill with Steve Gerrard, David Beckham, Owen Hargreaves, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Kieron Dyer.

Weekend speculation linked Owen with Chelsea and Arsenal, both of whom have the financial muscle to tease the 25 year old England marksman from Madrid. Ironically, he had trials with both before selecting Anfield as a youngster.

Owen would significantly strengthen Arsenal's current attacking line-up though Chelsea's need may not be as urgent. They could outbid any Premiership rivals if they so chose but Jose Mourinho is known to have other transfer targets.

Owen will be pleased to see his former Liverpool team mate Emile Heskey back in the squad after a six month absence. The Birmingham City striker last played as a substitute against France in the European Championship in Lisbon in June and, although called into the squad for the friendly with the Ukraine in August, had to withdraw because of injury.

Although Heskey hasn't scored for England for two years - he has just five goals in 43 appearances - Owen has acknowledged that his physical presence was a great help to him in the team.

Heskey, who scored in Birmingham's 2-0 win over Aston Villa yesterday, earns a place in the squad ahead of Alan Smith and Darius Vassell. Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson retains his place though he's unlikely to be in the starting line-up against the Irish.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce said: "We've all known that Emile is good enough to play for his country. He's had some unfair press over the years but we felt it wouldn't be long before he was back in there.

"He's been playing well for the last few months and I keep reiterating that he is England's best centre-forward of his type.

"Of course, you've got Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen who are a different type of player but I bet all of them would love to play alongside an Emile Heskey."

Eriksson has overlooked Nicky Butt and Matthew Upson and is still unable to call upon the injured Sol Campbell, Wayne Bridge and Wright-Phillips.

The only real worry for Eriksson concerns the fitness of Manchester United right back Gary Neville, who has been out of action since February 26 but was on the substitute's bench for the 1-0 win over Fulham.

If Neville is fit, the team practically picks itself with the vacancy created by the injury to Wright-Phillips producing the only real selection poser. Joe Cole could replace him, Eriksson may decide to change his formation and find a role for Jermain Defoe or, in view of the expected physical nature of the game with the Irish, he might start with Heskey.