Eriksson rules out u-turn on England future

Sven-Goran Eriksson admits player power and a glorious World Cup win will not be enough to spark a u-turn on his England future.

Eriksson suggested he had not sought to end his England reign when meeting Football Association chiefs after his revelations in the fake sheikh scandal.

The Swede’s players, preparing for tonight’s friendly against Uruguay, insist they would have liked him to have stayed beyond this summer’s World Cup finals.

But, asked if any set of circumstances could prompt a dramatic u-turn, Eriksson shrugged and said: “I haven’t taken any decisions.

“I’ve literally done what people told me to do. It doesn’t depend on me but that’s okay.

“Everyone knows what’s going to happen between now and August 1 and, after that, I don’t know what’s going to happen with myself.”

The England squad met on Monday for the first time since the announcement that Eriksson would be leaving his post on August 1.

None of the players dare stick their necks out and name the manager they want to succeed him but they are united in their support of the Swede.

Eriksson said: “I feel I’ve always had support from the players. There’s always been a feeling of respect between me, my coaching staff and the players.”

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is out of the Anfield game. The Chelsea midfielder pulled out of training complaining of a “tight hamstring”.

Lampard’s place in the team will be taken by Tottenham’s Michael Carrick. Charlton’s Darren Bent will make his debut up front alongside Wayne Rooney and Wayne Bridge starts at left-back as Eriksson names his strongest available team.

England skipper David Beckham is fit to lead the team out, despite a niggling back problem, and Liverpool’s Steve Gerrard starts in front of his home crowd despite a warning from Reds boss Rafael Benitez that he needs to rest.

It is England’s last fixture before Eriksson names his 23-man squad for Germany.

England: Robinson, Neville, Bridge, Ferdinand, Terry, Beckham, Gerrard, Carrick, Cole, Rooney, Bent.