Southgate and Brown England hopes fade

Sven-Goran Eriksson has effectively ruled Gareth Southgate and Wes Brown out of his Euro 2004 plans as he comes to terms with his depleted central defensive options.

And the relatively inexperienced duo of Tottenham’s Ledley King and Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher are now emerging as the surprise favourites to be included in his provisional 23-man squad on Monday.