Ade Gardner and Danny McGuire have been left out of England's preliminary 19-man squad for Saturday's World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

The pair, who were rested for Saturday's defeat by New Zealand, had been expected to return to the side, however, Lee Smith and Mark Calderwood have been picked on the wings, while Mickey Higham starts at hooker with James Roby on the bench.

Tony Smith, the England coach, could yet tweak his squad and has until an hour before kick-off before he will be forced to name his final 17 for the match, which can include players not selected in his preliminary squad.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Rob Purdham come into the side after impressive performances on Saturday, while Ben Westwood is one of six replacements. Martin Gleeson partners Keith Senior in the centre, while Leon Pryce is recalled alongside Rob Burrow in the half-backs.

England have lost their bid to have a northern hemisphere referee in charge of the match. Australian Shayne Hayne, who was the referee for England's opening pool match against Papua New Guinea, has been appointed to control the first semi-final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

It means that England will have had Australian referees in charge of all four of their matches in the tournament so far, with Tony Archer controlling their games against Australia and New Zealand.

A plea by coach Smith to Mick Stone, the World Cup referees chief, to have either Steve Ganson or Australia-born Ashley Klein, the Rugby Football League's two officials on the referees panel, fell on deaf ears.

"In the tournament manual drawn up prior to the tournament, it was agreed that appointments would be made on merit and, where merit permits, we would appoint on the basis of neutrality," Stone said. Klein will be in charge of the second semi-final on Sunday between Australia and Fiji.

England: Paul Wellens; Mark Calderwood, Martin Gleeson, Keith Senior, Lee Smith; Leon Pryce, Rob Burrow; Adrian Morley, Mickey Higham, Jamie Peacock (captain); Gareth Ellis, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Rob Purdham.

Replacements (two to be omitted): James Graham, Ben Westwood, James Roby, Kevin Sinfield, Jon Wilkin, Gareth Hock.