Scholes delivers fresh blow to Eriksson

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is picking himself up off the floor again - and this time the devastating body blow has been delivered by one of his most important players.

Forty-eight hours before the Swede learns whether he still has a job, Paul Scholes ripped up Eriksson’s 2006 World Cup qualifying blueprint by announcing his international retirement.

Eriksson has spent the last month attempting to persuade the Manchester United midfielder against making yesterday’s stunning decision but, as he psyched himself up for a meeting with his FA inquisitors, the England coach yesterday learned he had failed.