STEVE McCLAREN has attempted to keep Stewart Downing's feet firmly on the ground by insisting the young Middlesbrough winger still has plenty room for improvement.

The claim from the Boro boss came on the weekend Downing was named in Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad for the first time ahead of Wednesday night's friendly with Holland at Villa Park.

The 20-year-old is likely to be handed his first international cap against the Dutch, although the chances of him starting the game appear to be disappearing with the news that Eriksson is resisting calls to rest captain David Beckham.

Beckham's inclusion as a right-midfielder is likely to mean Manchester City's dazzling Shaun Wright-Phillips will be played out of position on the left - meaning Downing would start on the bench.

Nevertheless, Eriksson is sure to play the Middlesbrough winger at some point during the fixture and club boss McClaren - an England coach - believes it will be just rewards for a fantastic season so far.

But McClaren, who refused to allow Downing to speak to the press after Saturday's game with Charlton, did have a warning. He said: "His ability has not surprised me, it's temperament you always question but he's come through that. He's still not the finished article.

"He's still got a long way to go before catching up with quality left sided players. In the long term as long as he keeps going as he is and keeps handling the recognition he'll be OK.

"I'm sure he'll handle it very well. He deserves it. He's done it consistently over the last five or six months and we're crying out for a left sided midfielder."

Eriksson has already conceded that Downing may have to bide his time before he actually starts a game for his country, but the Swede believes the player deserves his chance.

The Middlesbrough star has scored five this season and has been the provider for many of his team-mates' goals - including Franck Queudrue's winner against Blackburn on Saturday.

And Eriksson said: "Stewart Downing has been playing very well for a long time so now we'll have a look at him. I think it's fair. I am not sure whether or not he will start from the beginning but I would not have named him in the squad if I didn't want to see him play."

Downing and Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson are the two new faces that will join up with the England squad this morning, while Newcastle pair Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas have also kept their place.

It is unlikely either will start the game against Holland but Jenas, after Newcastle's weekend draw with Charlton, said: "It was a tiring game on Saturday but I feel fine and I'm looking forward to joining up with the rest of the squad again.

"A lot has been made about who is playing and who isn't but all I can do is hope that I will get another chance to play for my country."

One man who looks destined to play is skipper Beckham, despite his long run of poor form in an England shirt.

But Eriksson said: "He is the captain so he should be number one. I know that he didn't play very well for a while but recently he has done very, very well and I am happy about that."

Beckham took a knock to the shoulder in Real Madrid's victory over Espanyol on Saturday night but is expect to recover.

England squad: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Manchester City), Robert Green (Norwich); Gary Neville (Man Utd), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Glen Johnson (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (Birmingham); David Beckham (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle); Michael Owen (Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace).

Read more about Middlesbrough here.