England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that he has tried to persuade Paul Scholes to reverse his decision to retire from international football. Eriksson, who will name his team for next week's friendly against Ukraine tonight, says the door will always be open for the midfielder to return.
"I made a final phone call to him to ask him if he had changed his mind," said Eriksson.
"I doubted it would work, but I wanted to try as I had nothing to lose."
Despite the setback, Eriksson believes that Scholes' decision will not lead to other players doing the same.
"I'm not afraid of other players doing that as to play for England is a big thing for every player," he said.
Eriksson will have a somewhat weakened squad for next week's friendly at Newcastle with Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Wayne Rooney and Jonathan Woodgate all missing.
Tottenham's Jermain Defoe and Ledley King, Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Chris Kirkland of Liverpool expected to be called up.
There may also be some surprises with Robert Green, Anthony Gardner, Zat Knight and JLloyd Samuel all in the frame.
MMIX
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