England's Sven-Goran Eriksson will name his Euro 2004 squad in 47 days with 17 players guaranteed to be making the trip to Portugal in June. That leaves six places up for grabs to complete Eriksson's 23-man squad.
England's coach will have been given few clues in the friendly with Sweden as to who will make up the squad, with only Jermain Defoe staking a claim.
Coming on as an 11th-minute substitute for Darius Vassell, debutant Defoe caused Sweden plenty of problems.
Still only 21, Defoe has demonstrated, be it at at Bournemouth, West Ham and now Spurs an impressive goalscoring pedigree.
Spurs director of football David Pleat has been banging the Defoe drum for international inclusion ever since his move to White Hart Lane, emphasising his versatility and ability to make an impact even as a substitute.
In promoting Wayne Rooney to the senior squad, Eriksson has shown he is willing to blood players, whatever their age, which suggests Defoe will be on the plane to Portugal.
 | Passport to Portugal: Ian Walker, Phil Neville, Gareth Southgate, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe Hanging on the telephone: Chris Kirkland, Ledley King, Jamie Carragher, Scott Parker, Darius Vassell, Alan Smith Gardening leave: Wes Brown, Matthew Upson, Jermaine Jenas, Danny Murphy, James Beattie |
Defoe's promotion could mean Darius Vassell's demotion.
The Aston Villa stirker has done well for England, but he has had a poor domestic season managing just eight goals in 26 league games.
Defoe certainly took his chance with both hands, or rather both feet, but he also benefited from the fact he played for most of the game.
As usual Eriksson kept the assistant referee busy as he made eight substitutions - contrast with Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who made just four switches in the game against France - one of the reasons behind England's disjointed performance.
The other England debutant Alan Thompson, who has waited so patiently for his international call-up, suffered from Eriksson's substitution frenzy, coming off after an hour.
Unlike for Celtic, where he has been so influential, Thompson had an anonymous game and his England career could already be over before it has started.
Whereas Eriksson has lost just one competitive fixture, his desire to make wholesale changes in friendlies has seen his side lose five times.
Joe Cole replaced captain Steven Gerrard and the Chelsea midfielder is likely to fill one of the squad's midfield places.
Apart from Defoe, Owen Hargreaves was the only other real success from Wednesday's game.
The Bayern Munich midfielder hit the bar and generally did well in filling in for David Beckham.
Phil Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King and Gareth Southgate are competing for the back-up defensive places in the squad.
Neville, who had a reasonable game against Sweden, has had a good season for United playing in midfield and keeping Nicky Butt - an Eriksson favourite - on the bench.
He usually plays for England in defence, though he might also provide a useful role if Eriksson decides to man mark Zinedine Zidane in England's opening game against France on 13 June.
King impressed Eriksson in the recent friendly against Portugal, but Southgate's experience is likely to see him preferred to the Spurs youngster.
Carragher has done well for Liverpool after returning from a broken leg, but he had an anonymous game against Sweden, filling in at left-back.
Chris Kirkland and Ian Walker are scrapping for the third goalkeeping slot.
On talent Kirkland is streets ahead of Walker, but his horrific injury problems - he has already broken a finger and a wrist this season - means the Leicester goalkeeper may be preferred on fitness grounds.
MMIX
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