Liverpool peak with a perfect six

Owen and Heskey underline the power of their partnership as Eriksson calls up Ricketts and Vassell

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Liverpool peak with a perfect six

England men to the fore with six

No hiding place for perfect foil

England squad

Emile Heskey and Michael Owen may have further enforced the view that their affinity makes their positions unassailable for this summer's World Cup with a brace apiece at Ipswich yesterday. But even as they were on the coach home after Liverpool's 6-0 triumph, the England coach Sven Goran Eriksson emphasised that he is determined to examine all options, even at this late stage, for Japan and Korea.

Bolton's Michael Ricketts and Aston Villa's Darius Vassell were the surprise recipients of a summons from Eriksson last night when the England coach named his squad to face Holland in the friendly in Amsterdam on Wednesday. Kevin Phillips, whose performances for Sunderland have been so admirable this season, despite the Wearsiders' poor form, is also named. Though those of Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham have not, Eriksson has spoken to the trio and confirmed that they remain firmly in his thoughts.

As roll calls for an England international go, this was never going to bring together the absolute élite in proven talent, nor that of the nation's burgeoning potential. The absence of the wounded (a lengthy list which after yesterday may include Steven Gerrard), the suspended ­ for their clubs, and hence under FA guidelines from this friendly (Alan Smith, Jamie Carragher, Danny Mills and Lee Bowyer) ­ and those with court proceedings pending or serving a sentence (Jonathan Woodgate and John Terry) necessitated that.

But while others suffer from injury and, in too many cases, failure to be role models both on and off the pitch, Ricketts and Vassell, together with Southampton's Wayne Bridge and Tottenham's Ledley King, will use the opportunity to further their claims for senior recognition, and one of the remaining World Cup places. West Ham's Joe Cole is also recalled into the squad from the Under-21s, having made his full England debut against Mexico at the end of last season.

Heskey is a man transformed, and in his current mood, he will take some shifting from a partnership with his club-mate Owen. After yesterday's game, his manager, Phil Thompson, enthused: "Michael and Emile are both very hot at the moment. Emile's performances have always been good and I'm just pleased that he's now getting the goals he deserves. The other players never looked at him and thought he shouldn't be in the team. You can never question his work-rate and enthusiasm. He never hides."

Birmingham-born Ricketts, signed for £500,000 from Walsall in July, 2000, has been a phenomenon in his first Premiership season, particularly in view of Bolton's wretched performances in recent weeks. His club's top scorer last season in the First Division, he has scored 15 goals already against the country's top defences and, though the 23-year-old appears raw and a touch naive at times suggesting there is still much improvement in him, he has impressed many with his assured footwork, considering his 6ft 2in frame.

The progress of Vassell, 21, also a Brummie, through the Under-21 ranks has been more gradual, but his name, too, has been on the scoresheet nine times this season and he has benefited by playing alongside Juan Pablo Angel.

In defence, the always composed King is granted his opportunity ­ albeit possibly as substitute ­ because of the absence of the Arsenal defender Martin Keown, while Bridge is solving Eriksson's problem of who to deploy at left-back with Ashley Cole missing. The Southampton midfielder can also play at wing-back and thus his versatility could prove important in the weeks ahead.

In view of recent on and off-field misdemeanours, one hesitates to describe this as the last-chance saloon. But after Wednesday it only leaves the friendly against Italy at Elland Road on 27 March for contenders like Michael Carrick to demonstrate their international capabilities. While the West Ham player would almost certainly have been granted an opportunity to prove himself but for a knee operation, his fellow club midfielder Joe Cole has improved demonstrably this season in his more mature approach to the game. Both those games may come too soon for Newcastle's Kieron Dyer, who has suffered another injury setback.

It is thought that Eriksson is already close to his final 23 and the friendly against Paraguay at Anfield on 17April will probably be a chance for him to select something near to his ideal World Cup starting XI. Though the England coach will not want a repeat of the corresponding friendly at White Hart Lane, Wednesday's fixture is primarily experimental. The Dutch won that game at a canter 2-0 before England famously defeated the Germans 5-1.

He may not use Owen, who scarcely needs to declare his right to being one of the first names on the team-sheet. But among the other strikers the competition for places could hardly be more intense.