Sven may yet stay put

Sven-Goran Eriksson has given his biggest hint yet that he intends to guide England into the 2006 World Cup.

The Swede has been offered a new deal by the British FA, which would take him to 2008, but has also been linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer.

Eriksson’s current deal expires after the 2006 qualifying campaign but he insisted his intention was to remain with the England side until then at least.

He said: “I hope so, because this is the biggest stage you can be on.

“I want to make a very good job of 2004 and then afterwards we start the qualifying campaign.”