Lee
Bowyer and Alan Smith will get a chance to stake their
England claims when Sven Goran Eriksson watches Leeds
play Manchester City.
However,
Jonathan Woodgate is rated highly doubtful to make
the Premiership kick-off as he recovers from a badly
gashed knee picked up against Rangers.
Smith missed out on this summer's World Cup but he
has already been selected for England by Eriksson
and is very much regarded as a player for the future.
However, Bowyer and Woodgate have been overlooked
for international duty for best part of three seasons
through various off-field problems.
But the duo are reportedly on the brink of a call-up
to the national side for the 7 September friendly
with Portugal at Villa Park.
And with former Elland Road team-mate Rio Ferdinand
out injured with a twisted ankle, centre-back Woodgate
is being hotly tipped to land the senior nod.
Both players were banned by the FA until the summer
following their court case at Hull Crown Court, where
both players were cleared of GBH with intent.
However, following the conclusion of Woodgate's 100
hours of community service - after being found guilty
of affray during the same case - Eriksson said towards
the end of last season that both players would soon
be given the chance to impress.
"Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate have had a
difficult year or two," the England boss said.
"We have a lot of good midfielders in this country,
so the competition is very hard.
"But at some stage, I am going to pick both of
them, probably very soon after the World Cup."
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson could also be handed the
chance to impress the watching Eriksson at Elland
Road on Saturday, while City's Shaun Wright-Phillips
will also be hoping to stake his claim.
