West Bromwich Albion's Chris Kirkland will be the only player from a Midland club involved in England's two vital World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland.

Having retained his place in Sven- Goran Eriksson's squad, the goalkeeper, who is on loan from Liverpool, looks likely to be on the Old Trafford bench as understudy to Paul Robinson against Austria this Saturday and again against Poland next Wednesday night.

But, apart from the inclusion of the man who started his career at Coventry City, Eriksson's England team sheet makes otherwise grim reading for Midland fans.

Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson has been overlooked, along with team-mates Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant. Aston Villa's Gareth Barry has again been left in the international cold.

Former Villa striker Peter Crouch has been recalled, despite having not scored as a Liverpool player, while Kieran Richardson, on-loan at Baggies last season, holds on to his place.

The exciting young midfielder's emergence as a makeshift left-back with Manchester United this season has improved his chances of going to the World Cup finals in Germany next season - if England find their form over the next nine days.

Crouch was called up as Eriksson seeks a temporary stand-in for Wayne Rooney, who is suspended for Saturday's tie.

Eriksson also recalled Alan Smith to his 24-man squad as a midfielder, with Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves missing through injury, while Scott Parker and Danny Murphy again missed out on places.

In defence, meanwhile, Sol Campbell and Ledley King are back after injury, but Stephen Warnock's lack of regular first-team action at Liverpool has cost him his place.

Former Blues striker Andrew Johnson also missed out, having not played for Crystal Palace for the past fortnight because of a knee injury.