Eriksson ready to play young lions
Eriksson stunned the nation by naming Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing in his 23-man squad for Germany.
The trio have just one cap between them but that does not deter the England boss, who insists his reputation for caution is undeserved.
Eriksson said: “I played Wayne Rooney when he was 17 in a qualification game against Turkey.
“In Portugal or Italy or Sweden no-one would say I’m not adventurous.
“I’ve always been ready to take out players and put in younger players if necessary.”
Rooney was only 17 and starting his first England game in the Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey, in Sunderland, in April 2003.
It was his third cap, after two appearances as sub, and he has never looked back.
That experience has convinced Eriksson he can rely on young players if they are good enough.
The Swede’s preferred starting X1 is well established with Paul Robinson in goal and a back four of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole.
He is reluctant to break up the midfield quartet of David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole.
Up front he would love to play Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, but both of them are battling back from injury and Rooney is certain to miss the start of the tournament.
“I hope to start with the best X1 and you know what that is. We have to wait on Rooney. But we have a lot of players starting on the bench who will be knocking on the door.”
Two months ago, Eriksson doubted he would ever take a player with no international experience to the World Cup.
He was asked about Chris Kirkland’s chances of making it back from injury in time to gatecrash the squad.
Eriksson said: “It’s very difficult to take a player without a cap to a World Cup. You never know but probably not, without closing all the doors.
“Going from the bench in a club team to international football in a World Cup, that step is extremely big.”
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