England's 19-man squad came through training on Friday to give manager Sven-Goran Eriksson a full hand to choose from for Saturday's friendly against Portugal at Villa Park.

Midfielder Steven Gerrard, who picked up an ankle injury while playing for Liverpool against Newcastle on Monday, took part in the team's final session and appeared to have no problems.

That will come as a relief to Eriksson who stressed the importance of the match.

As the club-versus-country debate continues to rage, Eriksson said: "This is an important game.

"It's important that we come together for the first time since the World Cup.

"It's important we play good football.

"The result is always important but I'm curious to see the new players coming in to see if they're good enough.

"It's also the only time we're together before we go to Slovakia."

Eriksson will take the opportunity to look at as many players as possible.

But he hinted that he will not make the sort of wholesale changes that marked the pre-World Cup warm-up matches.

Eriksson said: "During the match we will see how many we will change.

"But it will not be 11 out and 11 in like last season.

"We're in September. If we were in May or June I would be worried, but the players are fresh."

Meanwhile, Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn gave his backing to Paul Robinson, the man who has taken his place for both club and country.

Robinson is poised to make his senior debut on Saturday after being on the brink of being named in the England squad almost two years ago.

Martyn said: "He has been very patient and I am sure he won't let England down if he plays.

Martyn has also lost his Leeds first-team place to Robinson but insists there is no animosity between them.

"Of course we are rivals, but we are also close friends so there is no bitterness between us," said Martyn.

Leeds pair Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer also look set to play some part in the game.