Sven names King in squad

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has today named his 23-man squad to fly to Portugal for the European Championship finals next month and there were some surprises in store.

With the opening game in Group B against France less than a month away, the former Lazio coach has finalised his squad who will also take on Switzerland and Croatia as they try to advance to the knockout stages.

Eriksson announced his most difficult decisions were over who to pick in defence.

With Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand suspended, Jonathan Woodgate out injured and Gareth Southgate not totally fit the Swede has drafted in Liverpool's utility defender Jamie Carragher and Tottenham youngster Ledley King as cover for what will be his first-choice pairing of Sol Campbell and John Terry.

"It was my hardest task. Southgate is not fit at this moment so that was difficult," he said.

"I talked to Southgate today and he is going to try to be fit but it is doubtful."

Eriksson was asked whether it was a gamble to take Carragher and King as both were short on international experience.

"The answer will come if they are going to play and we will know it then," was his response at a press conference, televised by Sky Sports News.

"King is a young man but he has been playing well; Carragher has done very well so I think they are okay, both of them."