Alan Smith's ongoing flirtation with the dark side of nature has not prevented the talented but ill-disciplined young Leeds United striker from finding a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's latest England squad.
Eriksson has included the 20year-old in his party for Friday's friendly against Mexico at Derby and the World Cup qualifier in Greece 12 days later. With Manchester United's Andy Cole suspended for Athens and the Liverpool strikers - Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler - in need of a rest Smith could win his first cap at Pride Park, probably as a substitute.
Smith could do worse than follow the example of Gareth Southgate, who may be 30 now but was not given to kicking opponents even when he was 10 years younger. The Aston Villa defender has 37 caps but this is the first time he has appeared in an Eriksson squad.
Southgate, like Arsenal's Martin Keown, is recalled because injuries have ruled out Sol Campbell and Gary Neville. Keown captained England for the goalless World Cup game in Finland last October four days after Germany's 1-0 win at Wembley had forced Kevin Keegan to resign, but has been ignored by Eriksson until now.
Ray Parlour, the Arsenal midfielder, is also back in the squad with Sunderland's Gavin McCann left out. West Ham's Frank Lampard, whose England career was promising to revive under Eriksson, misses out through injury.
While Eriksson will want to use Friday's friendly to see how the side he is likely to field against Greece shapes up, Pride Park can expect a host of substitutions.
Gary Neville's absence may see another Liverpool player, Jamie Carragher, proving his versatility if Eriksson decides to try him at right-back. Carragher, while naturally right-footed, has been playing at left-back for Gerard Houllier but switched to the right at Charlton on Saturday.
ENGLAND SQUAD - A Cole (Arsenal), Keown (Arsenal), Parlour (Arsenal), Seaman (Arsenal), James (A Villa), Southgate (A Villa), Powell (Charlton), Ferdinand (Leeds), Martyn (Leeds), Smith (Leeds), Carragher (Liverpool), Fowler (Liverpool), Gerrard (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Owen (Liverpool), Beckham (Man Utd), Brown (Man Utd), Butt (Man Utd), P Neville (Man Utd), Scholes (Man Utd), Sheringham (Man Utd), McManaman (Real Madrid), Carrick (West Ham), J Cole (West Ham).
Chelsea have made their first foray into the transfer market after securing a place in the UEFA Cup next season by completing the £6.2 million signing of French defender William Gallas. The 23-year-old centreback signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge after terms were agreed with Marseille.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have agreed to allow Gustavo Poyet to leave the club after the midfielder yesterday handed in a written transfer request.
In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen coach Berti Vogts was sacked yesterday despite leading the club to fourth place in the Bundesliga and a place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. Former German international Vogts (54), is expected to be replaced by Klaus Toppmoller, the former coach of VfL Bochum.
