The England football crisis continues to dominate all papers on Friday as every possible ramification of "Rio-gate" is worked out.The Sun says that David Beckham and his men will play against Turkey, but will make the FA pay for its treatment of Rio Ferdinand by refusing to honour commercial engagements that could cost the governing body �100m.
It is not alone in believing that player action may yet happen.
The Daily Express and the Daily Star both opine that an effort will be made to remove FA chief executive Mark Palios after the big game on Saturday.
 | BACK PAGE HEADLINES The Times: Rooney and Heskey the only strikers on Sven's mind The Guardian England players stuck on grid Daily Telegraph: Ready for blast-off The Independent: Eriksson must hope dispute forges unity The Sun: England stars in �100m Rio boycott Daily Mirror: Heskey plays Daily Express: We're still revolting Daily Mail: Sven on brink Daily Star: You're out pal |
And the Daily Mail says that all of this speculation and bad publicity could end up driving England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson into the open arms of Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich.
In an attempt to move the focus of their stories back onto the pitch, some papers look ahead to Eriksson's team selection.
Consensus has it that Wayne Rooney will start alongside Emile Heskey up front, with Nicky Butt joining the midfield and John Terry deputising for Ferdinand at the back.
The furore surroundind England's trip to Turkey clouds all other sporting agendas, including build-up to the rugby World Cup, which starts in Australia on Friday.
The Daily Telegraph alone choses to lead on the oval ball.
"Ready for blast-off" it says, adding its assessment of the participating teams' chances and previewing Australia's opener against Argentina.
MMIX
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