FACTFILE Born: 21/01/77 Position: Defender Club: Manchester United Caps: 47 Goals: 0

Neville has rarely been a first choice for club or country but has still amassed 45 caps for England, largely as cover when injuries strike.

Was brought off the bench against Macedonia and Liechtenstein when England went ahead and protected the back four impressively.

He is regarded more as a reliable stop-gap than a regular, but his selection by a succession of England managers shows the respect in which he is held in the game.

Sir Alex Ferguson is as confident about using Neville as a midfield man as he is as a defender and that versatility makes him a useful member of Eriksson's squad.