West Ham's teenage sensation Joe Cole was the surprise inclusion in the England squad named for the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Finland.

The talented midfielder's call was based on his stellar early season form.

And he is joined by former England Under-21 team-mate, Liverpool's Jamie Carragher.

Returning after injuries are Liverpool's Robbie Fowler and Chelsea's Graeme Le Saux.

Although Fowler has not started a Premier League match this season, England boss Kevin Keegan said he feels confident he will be match fit.

An opinion reinforced by Fowler's recent five-goal performance in a Liverpool reserves game.

His fellow Liverpool strikers, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen, are also included in the squad for the October 7 match against Germany and the Finland game four days later.

Heskey faces a fitness check on his knee injury before his selection is finalised.

Goalkeepers named were Arsenal's David Seaman, Nigel Martyn of Leeds and Aston Villa's David James.

The remainder of the squad is: Phil Neville, Gary Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Andy Cole of Manchester United; Gareth Barry and Gareth Southgate of Aston Villa; Tony Adams, Ray Parlour and Martin Keown of Arsenal; Rio Ferdinand of West Ham; Paul Ince of Middlesbrough; Kieron Dyer of Newcastle; Dennis Wise of Chelsea; Nick Barmby and Steven Gerrard of Liverpool; Kevin Phillips of Sunderland; and Steve McManaman of Real Madrid.