By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport at Anfield

On 8 May, head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will announce the group of 23 players that he believes can win the World Cup for England.

Until that time, speculation is sure to continue over the exact make-up of the squad as the build-up to the finals in Germany intensifies.

In the fourth of a series of scouting missions, BBC Sport runs the rule over Everton striker James Beattie at the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton.

Beattie appears to be wandering the international wilderness as he tries to score the goals which will get him back into the England fold.

JAMES BEATTIE FACTFILE Born: 27 Feb 1978, Lancaster Clubs: Blackburn, Southampton, Everton Career games: 284 Career goals: 88 England caps: Five

He forced his way into Eriksson's plans in February 2003 by scoring 17 goals for Southampton up to that point in the 2002/03 season.

Beattie made his debut against Australia but was substituted at half-time as England lost 3-1.

He failed to make enough of an impact in that game or in a further four appearances to retain his place in the squad.

The role of being a big target man able to hold the ball up, unsettle opposing defences and contribute goals failed to convince Eriksson.

The Swede last used the striker as a substitute in the 3-2 loss against Denmark in November 2003 and - to Beattie's disappointment - omitted him from the Euro 2004 squad.

The goals and work ethic are coming again for Beattie after a troubled time with injuries since his �6m move to Everton in January 2005.

He went into the latest Merseyside derby high on confidence with four goals in six games, while his work-rate and aerial threat have also helped him emerge as a serious threat to Peter Crouch's place in Eriksson's squad.

BEATTIE'S GOAL RECORD 2005/06: 11 in 32 games 2004/05: 5 in 24 games 2003/04: 17 in 42 games 2002/03: 24 in 47 games 2001/02: 14 in 31 games 2000/01: 12 in 42 games 1999/00: 0 in 21 games 1998/99: 6 in 39 games

Not only was Beattie scoring goals, he was setting them up and looking extremely sharp in the process.

But at Anfield he was anonymous throughout and, although he was not helped by most of his team-mates also having an off-day, that is a worry.

Beattie was taken out of the game too easily and, no matter how much he hustled and harried, it was in vain.

He rarely registered as a threat against one of the best central defensive partnerships in the Premiership and his frustration got the better of him on a couple of occasions.

Should England get through the group stages at the World Cup, the opposition will be just as tough if not more so.

Beattie's a better goalscorer and a better all-round player than Crouch. He is harder, faster, more experienced and more intelligent. He doesn't fall over and he wouldn't make England look like a laughing stock. Argentine, German and Italian defenders will have Crouch for breakfast.
bluemoo, via 606 messageboards

I like Beattie a lot and he is a 100% footballer for sure, but I don't know if he is good enough for a World Cup. I can't believe Crouch is going to go - this is a guy who took 19 games to score for Liverpool - but at the moment is Beatts that much better?
Hazza, Everton fan

I don't think Beatts or Crouch should go to the World Cup. Dean Ashton has a better all round game than both, a good touch and more skill. He'd be a better option in my opinion.
Tonteau, via 606 messageboards

Why is everyone saying Beattie OR Crouch? I'd take them both, along with Rooney and Owen.
recharred, via 606 messageboards

I would say Beattie should go to Germany. He is strong, works hard and can finish.
DutchBlue, via 606 messageboards

Everton boss David Moyes has started to get the best out of Beattie after some careful man-management, but for the most part has kept quiet on his player's prospects of an England recall.

Moyes probably does not want to place too much pressure on Beattie as he reaps the benefits of his return to form.

"Beattie has given us confidence, the ball sticks to him, he keeps things alive in the box and he is beginning to look like the player a few clubs wanted to sign," said Moyes on 19 March.

"You have to use the big stick with him now and again, but in the main he is doing a wonderful job.

"If there was a 'B' international tomorrow, Beattie would be in it. And if he can keep scoring, he has a chance of going to Germany."

Beattie's best chance of getting into Eriksson's squad is if his former Southampton team-mate Crouch gets injured and the Swede has a massive change of heart.

BEATTIE'S COMPETITION Peter Crouch and Dean Ashton

The two may arguably be the best English target men in the Premiership, but there is only room for one of them as they battle to give Eriksson a similar option up front.

At 6ft 7in, Crouch is literally head and shoulders above 6ft 1in Beattie, who will have to go on a sensational scoring run to even stand a chance.

The awkwardness factor of Crouch puts him ahead in the pecking order as his height will be a danger most of the other 31 countries in Germany will not have faced.

The fear with Beattie is that defences at international level will be too cute and clever and nullify the threat he would pose.