Eriksson will be on the charm offensive

Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to take Wayne Rooney to South Africa for this month's friendly, against the wishes of Everton manager Dayid Moyes.

Worried that the 17-year-old striker is being overplayed, Moyes wants Eriksson to leave Rooney at home.

Eriksson told The Sun: "Why should he not go to South Africa? "I haven't picked the squad yet. It is too early. But if he is picked, he will play. Why not?"

Eriksson and Moyes discussed Rooney during a meeting with leading Premiership managers on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Robson, Peter Reid and Alan Curbishley also attended yesterday, at the first of three such get-togethers to bridge the growing divide between club and country.

Eriksson will hold a similar meeting with Arsene Wenger, Gerard Houllier, Steve McClaren and Gordon Strachan at a London hotel on Thursday.

Claudio Ranieri and Graham Taylor are unable to attend due to prior commitments, while Glenn Roeder is still in hospital.

Those absent managers, along with the remaining Premiership bosses will be invited to a further meeting later this season.

"It can only be a good thing that people from the clubs and people from the FA sit down to talk about the fixtures that we have in our game," said Eriksson.

"We have to find a solution that is good for the clubs and good for the national team. We need to look to the future and agree. What do we want to do with friendly games for example?

"The fixture list is always a big problem in England because of the amount of games but we will try and find a solution - together.

Rooney is almost certain to be called up for England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia on 11 June.