Smith to start

The Manchester United striker scored a superb goal against Arsenal in the Community Shield following his summer move from Leeds and has been rewarded with a place alongside Michael Owen in the England attack.

Emile Heskey has been forced to withdraw from Sven Goran Eriksson's squad with a hamstring injury, so Smith will play at least 45 minutes as he attempts to put himself in contention for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland next month.

Eriksson explained: "Alan Smith is improving match after match and it will be interesting to see him.

"I will play him with Michael Owen at the start, but I also want to see players like Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermain Defoe in the second-half."

With Sol Campbell out injured and Paul Scholes now retired from international football, there are places in the starting line-up for Ledley King in defence and Nicky Butt in midfield.

Eriksson added: "Ledley was absolutely unbelievable when he played against France in the European Championships.

"He did not have a lot of experience, but he showed in that match that he could handle it so I think he deserves to play against Ukraine.

"Nicky Butt will play in the middle with Frank Lampard. Maybe moving to Newcastle will help him because it looks as if he will play in most games and that will help him stay fit.

"We could go back to playing with a diamond, but I think that happens naturally anyway. Nicky Butt will sit and Frank Lampard will go forward and I cannot tell Steven Gerrard and David Beckham just to stay on the touchline."

England Starting XI

GOALKEEPERS
DEFENDERS
MIDFIELDERS
FORWARDS

Click on the players' pictures for a full profile

Click on the link below to listen to today's press conference with Sven

17 August 2004
Sven-Göran Eriksson Press Conference - AUDIO