The Arsenal goalkeeper, who missed yesterday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa because of an inflamed back muscle, was named in Sven Goran Eriksson's squad to face Finland on Saturday and said: 'Hopefully, the injury isn't too serious and I would like to think I will be able to report for England.'

Seaman starred in Arsenal's Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich last week and has emerged as favourite to keep goal in Eriksson's first World Cup qualifier after the erratic form of Villa's David James and Nigel Martyn, of Leeds.

There was delight and disappointment for players today, following the announcement of Eriksson's squad for England's matches against Finland and Albania on Wednesday week. Sunderland striker and European Golden Boot-winner Kevin Phillips was the most notable omission.

Charlton's Chris Powell, who made a surprise international debut against Spain last month, keeps his place in the squad and Arsenal's highly-promising Ashley Cole is a rival for the left-back role. Everton's Michael Ball, however, misses out.

West Ham's midfield trio of Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard retain their places despite their club's poor run of form. Cole was even substituted at half-time of the 1-0 defeat by Ipswich on Saturday but Eriksson has seen enough of the 19-year-old to have been suitably impressed.

There will be disappointment, however, for Arsenal's Ray Parlour, who was forced to drop out of the England coach's first squad against Spain through injury and, although fit, cannot find a way back into the squad. Parlour has 10 caps and last played for England against Italy when Peter Taylor was in charge back in November.

Another player who will be disappointed at being omitted is Aston Villa's Gareth Southgate. The former Crystal Palace defender, who is on the transfer list at Villa, missed the match against Spain through injury but is back to full fitness and played against Arsenal yesterday.

Southgate's former Villa colleague, Middlesbrough's Ugo Ehiogu also misses out having scored on his rerturn to England colours against the Spaniards.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be lifted by the news that England defender Martin Keown is on the way back to fitness after an eight-week absence with a knee ligament injury.