SVEN Goran Eriksson has defied the instructions of Newcastle boss Graeme Souness by naming Jermaine Jenas in his England squad for this month's controversial tour of the United States.

But, in an attempt to placate the Magpies manager, fellow midfielder Kieron Dyer will not be travelling across the Atlantic for the friendlies with the USA and Colombia.

Souness joined a host of other Premiership managers last month when he questioned both the necessity and the timing of a tour that will extend an already stretched season by another three weeks.

The Scot was particularly keen to see neither Jenas nor Dyer involved, as both players have suffered fatigue-related injuries in recent weeks.

Jenas, who played his first game for almost a month at Everton last weekend, suffered a calf strain in April's 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon, while Dyer has struggled to shake off a succession of hamstring problems in the second half of the season.

But, while the latter will remain in England as he battles back to full fitness ahead of Newcastle's return to pre-season training, the former is set to feature in both of England's games in the US.

Jenas, who made his first international start in last October's 1-0 win in Azerbaijan, is rapidly emerging as one of Eriksson's preferred midfield replacements.

David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole form England's first-choice midfield, but two impressive showings in America should ensure the 22-year-old travels to next year's World Cup in Germany as back-up.

Dyer, who featured in March's two World Cup qualifying wins over Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan, should also make the World Cup squad despite concerns over his injury record.

Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing is another midfielder hoping to force his way into the picture.

After making his debut in February's friendly with Holland, the 20-year-old failed to even make the bench as England returned to competitive action the following month.

He will be travelling to the United States though and, with a host of senior players either injured or unavailable, is likely to be given a prominent role.

"In the first game, the midfield could be (Shaun) Wright-Phillips, Jenas, (Michael ) Carrick and Joe Cole - or Stewart Downing," hinted Eriksson.

Ledley King became the latest player to withdraw from the squad yesterday, joining a lengthy absentee list that also includes Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Paul Robinson and Wayne Bridge.

Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are excluded because of the Champions League final, while Beckham, Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves will miss the first game of the tour before joining up for the match with Colombia on May 31.

As a result, Southampton striker Peter Crouch and Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson have received their first England call-ups, while Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick has received a recall after an absence of more than two years.

Crouch's call-up is a welcome boost amid a difficult week, with Southampton facing the possibility of relegation, and the striker having to sit out the final league game against Manchester United because of suspension.

"I will look at Peter Crouch to see if he's good enough. For sure, he's very different and when you go into a big tournament, you should have one big striker," revealed Eriksson.

"I know already what Emile Heskey can do, while Jermain Defoe and Alan Smith will also be coming to the United States.

"I'm going to have another look at Andrew Johnson and maybe let him play up front. I will not play him on the right wing again."

Johnson made an ill-fated substitute appearance on the right flank in his only previous outing for the senior side.

Sol Campbell will make a rare friendly appearance in the absence of Ferdinand and Terry while, in Beckham's absence, Shaun Wright-Phillips will get his chance to shine on the right flank against the wishes of new Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce.

"I think Shaun is very happy to come. In the first game, he knows that Beckham is not there and that's good for him," stressed Eriksson.

England squad to tour USA: Green (Norwich), Carson (Liverpool), James (Manchester City) Campbell (Arsenal), Upson (Birmingham), Brown (Manchester United), G Neville (Manchester United), A Cole (Arsenal), P Neville (Manchester United), Johnson (Chelsea), Jenas (Newcastle), Downing (Middlesbrough), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), J Cole (Chelsea), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich) Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Smith (Manchester United), Owen (Real Madrid), Crouch (Southampton), A Johnson (Crystal Palace), Defoe (Tottenham).