Eriksson is naming his squad two weeks before the Uefa deadline

The 23-man squad is being announced ahead of England's May friendlies against Iceland and Japan.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said Eriksson wanted to build team spirit ahead of their departure to Lisbon.

"The official deadline from Uefa is 2 June, so there is room for some flexibility, if required, until then," added Bevington.

The decision means that there is only one England friendly - against Sweden in Gothenburg on 31 March - before Eriksson announces the squad.

The England coach has already pencilled in much of his first-choice squad, but stressed there is still time for fringe players to earn themselves a place.

The likes of Ledley King, who impressed in February's friendly with Portugal, will be keen to stake a claim, as will Chelsea's Scott Parker and Leeds' Alan Smith.

"If I should pick the team and the squad today for Euro 2004, with everyone fit, it wouldn't be that difficult," Eriksson said ahead of the Portugal match.

But time is short for the hopefuls, who have just one friendly left before Eriksson's deadline, England's game in Gothenburg against Sweden on 31 March.

England open their Euro 2004 campaign against France in Lisbon on 13 June.

Group matches follow against Switzerland on 17 June and Croatia on 21 June.