England-bound Eriksson in Lazio crisis talks

England coach-elect Sven-Goran Eriksson is to have crisis talks with Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti after the club's shock defeat to Napoli in Rome.

Eriksson faces a showdown meeting amid rumours that another humiliating home defeat at the hands of a team 15th in Serie A was the final straw.

Certainly the impression given by Cragnotti's post-match comments was that the 52-year-old could today be enjoying his last day in the Lazio hot-seat.

"The players still had Christmas cake in their feet," said Cragnotti. "On Monday I will meet with Eriksson to try and understand how this has happened and to see how we can find the way out of this tunnel."

Earlier, Football Association spokesman David Davies had implied that the FA were aware of Eriksson's fragile position with a club that has now lost four times in 13 Serie A games this season and stands pointless at the foot of their Champions League group.

"We are keeping more than a close eye on Lazio's results," he admitted.

"We want Sven-Goran Eriksson to do well and we are disappointed when Lazio do not win. "

Davies re-stated that Eriksson would still be featuring in the build-up to England's friendly against Spain next month, followed by the World Cup qualifying matches against Finland and Albania.

"He will be involved in all our key games until the end of the season," said Davies.

"Adam Crozier (the FA's chief executive) will be meeting with them in the next couple of weeks and we will attempt to resolve any uncertainty about the future. We have a good relationship with Sergio Gragnotti and Sven-Goran Eriksson. "

But he added: "It has been made clear that Peter Taylor will be in charge for the game against Spain in February."