If you don't get the option, do the install then,
apt-get install linux-image-2.6-686-smp
but from the looks of things you will get prompted to choose your kernel. (20 avail options !)
http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2006/0...ch-beta-3.html
Maybe in your case you should do the
expert install to have more control over the final system configuration, and get the kernel you want during setup.