Eriksson faces test of diplomacy over friendly squad

Sven Goran Eriksson is facing an all-too-familiar dilemma in the run-up to England's friendly against Australia next month, with renewed pressure building from clubs over his squad selection.

The England coach did not hold games in either August or November last year in an attempt to keep Premiership managers happy amid growing opposition to so-called "meaningless friendlies".

The departure of the Football Association's former chief executive, Adam Crozier, and the formation of a "professional game board" raised renewed worries as to the attitude of leading clubs. The FA was nevertheless assured clubs would continue to back the England side, although the first test is the friendly against Australia at Upton Park on 12 February.

A fortnight before the game, the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has already voiced concerns over Eriksson's squad selection, with a plea for the England coach to use a "common-sense" approach.

Wenger's public request, which is hardly likely to improve the fragile relations between club and country, puts Eriksson in a difficult position. Arsenal face Newcastle away on 8 February, with the England game at Upton Park four days later, followed by the FA Cup fifth-round tie between the Gunners and Manchester United.

Both teams then have important Champions' League fixtures the following week, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be as concerned as Wenger to ensure his players are as fresh as possible.

To make matters worse, the FA Cup fifth round could also see a meeting of Liverpool and Leeds, meaning two-thirds of Eriksson's squad may be involved in two high-profile ties the following weekend.

The Swede must therefore somehow select a meaningful squad to face Australia in preparation for the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Turkey, while also not antagonising leading clubs or annoying fans by making mass substitutions.

The potential is for club managers to withdraw players from his squad with minor knocks or strains, raising the question of whether he should summon them for England duty, non-playing or otherwise, in any case.

Either way, the Swede, who may have been planning to rest the Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman in any case, has still been warned of the pitfalls which could lie ahead.

"Obviously it's Sven's choice and he will want to pick his best squad," Wenger said. "I cannot expect him to leave out all his best players. You cannot expect him to leave out the Arsenal players and not the Manchester United players, or leave out the United players but not those from Arsenal.

"They all face a physically demanding time in the coming weeks and all you hope is that he uses common sense when picking his squad."

Wenger's concern for his players' fitness is understandable, given that they will probably be involved in four games in just 10 days at that time, with many further matches ahead.

However, while the Arsenal vice-chairman, David Dein, was one of the Premier League and FA powerbrokers who pledged their allegiance to the England cause, the Frenchman's frustration is even greater at Brazil.

Gilberto Silva was yesterday selected in the Brazil squad for a friendly in China that week, meaning the midfielder has to be ruled out of Arsenal's FA Cup tie at Old Trafford completely.

"He will certainly not play at Old Trafford as he would come back late on Friday night. I cannot get him out of that game. I would love to do it but I have no power to do it," the Arsenal manager admitted.

Wenger has no greater power over Eriksson. However, the next fortnight still looks to hold yet another diplomatic minefield through which the England coach must tread carefully.