Sven stands firm on Rooney

Sven-Goran Eriksson put his foot down and named Wayne Rooney in his squad for next week's friendly in South Africa despite Everton insisting he is injured.

Moyes insisted immediately after Sunday's defeat by Manchester United that Rooney would be ruled out of the trip to Durban because of a knee ligament injury.

However, England team doctor Leif Sward has since spoken to the Everton medical staff and Eriksson then named Rooney in his latest 25-man squad.

The England coach omitted David Seaman from his plans for the friendly, instead handing a shock call-up to Leicester's Ian Walker.

Phil Neville, Matthew Upson and James Beattie also received call-ups.

Eriksson was already without Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Nicky Butt and Francis Jeffers due to injury, while a persistent knee problem has also ruled out Jonathan Woodgate.

That enabled John Terry to keep his place, while earning Upson another call-up, although Wes Brown, who sustained an ankle problem on Sunday, and Ledley King missed out.

Owen Hargreaves is absent until after the German cup final on May 30, while David Beckham, who is suspended for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia, will only take part in the South Africa friendly.

Eriksson's squad face Serbia & Montenegro on June 3 in a friendly at the Walkers Stadium and a Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia at the Riverside Stadium on June 11.