Anxious Eriksson awaits news of England’s walking wounded

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON is anxiously waiting to discover whether England’s leading clubs abide by his ‘new approach’ to the treatment of his players.

Eriksson travelled to Old Trafford yesterday espousing the virtues of England men linking up with the national squad even when they are not fully fit to wipe away any suspicion that the clubs were deliberately holding their key men back. It is not a view shared by Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon and, as he travelled home after watching the 1-1 derby-day draw with City, Eriksson must have been squirming in his seat with news of the groin injury Paul Scholes picked up during the game.

The furore over Scholes’ non-appearance in England’s previous friendly clash with Portugal in September has still not truly gone away. On that occasion, Eriksson was informed by United that Scholes was unavailable for selection due to persistent ankle problems, only to turn up for United’s Premiership encounter with Middlesbrough and find the flame-haired midfielder included in the home line-up.