Eriksson ‘not afraid’ of temperamental stars

Sven-Goran Eriksson has told his players he does not want them to behave like ‘‘choirboys’’ in their games at the World Cup finals.

Eriksson has chosen several players in his squad with what could euphemistically be described as full-blooded characters, including Danny Mills, Martin Keown and Paul Scholes.

And while he will ask them not to step over the line of self-control, the England coach will not seek to restrain their naturally fiery characters too much.

He believes a hard edge is needed if England are to progress and that could prove to be a positive sign for Mills’ selection hopes, even if many observers are tipping Wes Brown to start the tournament at right-back.

Eriksson was certainly unconcerned about the scuffle between Keown and Scholes during the midweek title decider at Old Trafford.

‘‘Those things happen in football. You always say it shouldn’t but when you go to a World Cup, you don’t take out choirboys to beat Sweden and Argentina,’’ he said. ‘‘You want some temperament as well.

‘‘You always hope that players can control it but that sort of thing has always happened in football and we have some players with a lot of temperament. But I’m not afraid of that.’’

Asked why he had not selected Graeme Le Saux, given it had been widely believed his disciplinary record was the main factor against him, Eriksson skirted around the subject.

However, while no possible alternatives were given, the indication was that it is not actually Le Saux’s conduct on the pitch which has been the key.

Eriksson is, meanwhile, conscious of what happened to David Beckham in being sent off for a petulant flick at Diego Simeone at the last World Cup.

However, knowing his captain has matured since then, he insisted: ‘‘It happens to all countries and clubs every now and then.’’

The England coach instead recalled the example of uncompromising defender Pietro Vierchowod, with whom he worked at Sampdoria.

‘‘He could kill a centre-forward more or less,’’ said Eriksson. ‘‘He was an extremely good defender but it’s always better to have him on your side rather than to play against him, even if you know what may happen sometimes.

‘‘Every team needs those kind of players.’’