Sven determined to stand by his men

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON stressed his unswerving loyalty to his players as he looked for England to transform their World Cup qualifying position in Poland today — led by under-fire captain David Beckham.

Eriksson looks set to keep faith with the same side that surrendered a 2-0 lead against Austria last Saturday, even after what Michael Owen described as “15 minutes of madness” in Vienna.

David James is expected to retain his place in goal despite his latest clanger and the growing claims of Paul Robinson. And as long as Beckham can prove his fitness after a painful rib injury, there is no possibility of him being sidelined.