Little time for Eriksson

Sven-Goran Eriksson names his first England squad today, with perilously little time in which to make his mark before next week's friendly against Spain.

Eriksson is expected to name about 25 players for the game at Villa Park, with a backbone of experience likely to underpin his eventual starting line-up.

But there will be at least a sprinkling of youthful talent, with not only the likes of Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand, but also possible call-ups for defender Ashley Cole and midfielder Joe Cole.

Eriksson, who is not due to name his captain - widely expected to be David Beckham - until Monday, is without Tony Adams through international retirement as well as Martin Keown and Gareth Southgate through injury.

With Steve Gerrard also doubtful, there may be fewer surprises than some had originally thought, although Danny Mills, Jamie Carragher, Michael Carrick, Alan Smith, Paul Robinson and Richard Wright have been in contention.

In any case, Eriksson's options may be reduced after this weekend's matches, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all playing on Sunday.

That could lead to several withdrawals from the Swede's first squad, a problem which has routinely afflicted England coaches in the past.

With so many players appearing on Sunday, together with the launch of the new England kit on Monday morning, the squad are not having their first training session until Monday afternoon at Villa Park.

That means Eriksson will have just a handful of training sessions in which to work with his players, with all those involved in Sunday's games only involved in a light work-out the day afterwards.

The squad itself has been a cause of much speculation, with 18 or 19 players virtually guaranteed their places but the identities of the remaining six or seven very much the subject of educated guesswork.

Eriksson has certainly spent much time watching both young Coles in action, even if he may feel it is too early to actually throw them into the starting line-up.

Mills and Carragher may offer back-up, if Phil Neville - due to play in the United reserves last night against Blackburn at Morecambe after losing a first team place - Graeme Le Saux and Michael Gray are not picked.

Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Gareth Barry are relative certainties in defence, as are Beckham, Paul Scholes, Kieron Dyer - if his fitness is assured - and Steve McManaman in midfield.

With injury possibly ruling out Gerrard, Cole will contest a place with Carrick, Frank Lampard, Nicky Butt, Nick Barmby, Ray Parlour and the experienced quartet of Paul Ince, Dennis Wise, David Batty and Paul Merson.

There is a dilemma for Eriksson in goal, with David Seaman, Nigel Martyn and David James to choose from, as well as the promise of Robinson and Wright.

Up front, he must consider whether to bring in Alan Smith, given that the 20-year-old striker is coming of age in Leeds' Champions League campaign and is only suspended for competitive England Under-21 games.

Teddy Sheringham could merit a recall at the age of 34, but Robbie Fowler has also indicated his desire to be selected by the new coach.