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Eriksson has to choose between Danny Mills or the returning Gary Neville at right-back, Emile Heskey or Alan Smith to partner Michael Owen in attack and who to pair up in the centre of defence in the absence of regulars Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell.

It was expected that Eriksson would plump for the Middlesbrough duo of Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, but reports from England's training camp now suggest that Leeds' Jonathan Woodgate will get the nod ahead of Ehiogu.

Alan Smith looks likely to miss out despite his impressive performance against Portugal, as the England boss opts for Heskey's pace and power through the middle.

Send us your views on Sven's squad, and tell us who you would pick to start on Saturday.

Surely, Paul Robinson should be earning his first full cap against Slovakia. The rest of the squad should be: Neville, Ehiogu, Woodgate, Scholes, Beckham, Butt, Hargreaves, and the best striking force is Owen and Smith.
Askenas Nyang'au, Kenya

What's all this Mills v Neville rubbish? Carragher is the only worthwhile right-back England have.
Jonathan Edwards, Wales

Owen as a lone striker with Scholes supporting him, using the same tactics as used by Alex Ferguson with Giggs supporting van Nistlerooy. Now Heskey - that is a worry, he has sprung to form over the past weeks but I am still unsure of his attitude/purpose. If he has to play he should start on the left.
Michael Lock, England

I'm amazed at how short some people's memories are. Butt had a storming world cup. Lampard is a quality player and does deserve to be in the squad, and why not play both Bridge and Cole on the left? Both are very accomplished at defending and attacking.
Ralph, England

My starting 11 would have to include Darius Vassell upfront, partnered with Owen. Vassell has more class than Smith.
A-M, England

Danny Mills is the best right-back in the country and should make the starting line-up. Also Lee Bowyer should be in the squad because he brings flair to it.
Lee Samuels, UK

Frank Lampard is not good enough to play on the international stage. He is reluctant to use his left foot and when he does the results are laughable. Joe Cole has bags more inventiveness than Lampard and Bowyer would die for his country. I can't understand how the Chelsea man got in ahead of these two.

Steve McManaman should be included for his experience. He is a wonderful player who showed his resolve by staying at Real and winning back a place in the team when all about were telling him he should go. Robert Green of Norwich City should be in the squad, given that Seaman won't be around for 2004.
Peter Lovenkrands, Scotland

Why the constant pleas for a McManaman return? Doesn't anyone remember that as soon as he pulls an England shirt on he becomes consistently hopeless? If we want a player of such ilk, we should pick Keiron Dyer.
Matt, England

I cannot believe all this uproar created around Neville. Did people not watch the World Cup? Mills linked up better with Beckham than Neville does - he is far more attacking and can put in good cross.
Mark Cook, England

Why is Jamie Redknapp not in the squad? He is far better than Lampard and Thompson and should even be pressing for a starting place in the team.
Bish, England

Lampard deserves his chance, he has been quality this season for Chelsea. All those people writing him off obviously haven't seen him play this season.
Dan, England

For Pete's sake, stop mucking around with the players, Sven. I thought that Lee Bowyer did well in the Portugal game. Putting Neville in is not a good idea either. The Man Utd players are not playing well at the moment and should be left out, especially Beckham and Butt.

Picking Smith is good - he has shown lots of commitment and skill up front for England. For me, Mills should be picked instead of Neville. With this present line-up I foresee a drab draw with Slovakia.
Steve, Malaysia

For the upcoming qualifier, my England team would read: Seaman; Neville, Cole, Southgate, Ehiogu; Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Heskey, Owen and Smith.
Ross Cumming, Middlesbrough

Is Sven trying to force Joe Cole into handing in a transfer request? Why leave him and Bowyer out, and when Sinclair pulls out call up another rookie? No imagination from the boss and another drab game in store for us.
Mick, England

I think Sven has made a brilliant choice by including Frank Lampard in the England squad. He has been fantastic for Chelsea and is well deserving of his place.
Liam O'Reilly, England

What has long been evident to me is England's apparent lack of desire to score. No matter who is picked, England have to pound the opposition's goal relentlessly. Credibility here is not going to come from a safe 1-0 or 2-0 win.

I'll take conceding a goal, or even two, if England can put five or six in at the other end. The best defence is a good offence - it's really hard to score when you're busy picking the ball out of the back of the net.
Chris, British Canadian living in USA

The starting eleven will be: Seaman; Neville, Cole, Southgate, Ehiogu; Beckham, Gerrard, Scholes, Dyer; Heskey and Owen.
Peter Dean, England

I don't think you can argue that Neville has to be right-back. His link-up play with Beckham is worth his place alone!
Paul Wright, England

My starting eleven would be: Seaman; G Neville, A Cole, Campbell, Southgate; Beckham, Gerrard, Butt, Scholes; Owen and Smith.
Ismail Mohammed, England

Sven has lost the plot. He's turned into Graham Taylor. He used to pick obscure players for squads then leave them out of the next one, and he played people out of position. We don't have a left-sided problem, we have two excellent players in Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge - play them both!

What use was that friendly against Portugal? All that hassle and he's ignored anything that went on. I hope David Thompson becomes the new Gazza, but a few years ago he couldn't get in Liverpool's team. A few good games at Blackburn shouldn't get you a call-up for an important international.
Lee, England

Sven should choose more enterprising players. England have far too many talented players to be picking Frank Lampard - he is just not talented enough for England. MacManaman and Joe Cole should be in the team.
Kay, Zambia

The whole nation will be behind Sven if he picks Gary Neville above Danny Mills at right-back. Unfortunately, it would be the whole Slovakian nation.
Matt Drew, England

Give Sven the space and time to get it right. My main observation is to get Thompson on at the left of midfield. Nothing has worked yet, so give him a chance. I would put Smith with Owen - a fearsome partnership!
Colin, England

Given recent much improved performances, I think Heskey will be key down the left, and Smith and Owen could click up front. We also need to see Beckham and Gerrard given a chance to dominate in the middle. As for Seaman, if he's planning on going, just go! We need to bed the replacement in. Having said all that, we will top the group and are a Top-five world team!
Shaun, England

It's about time Sven stopped choosing boring holding midfield players like Butt, and average players like Lampard. With so much weight put on the shoulders of Michael Owen, we need players like Joe Cole and Lee Bowyer to drive at the defence from midfield.

Also, why not play both Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge on the left side? They're both the best left sided players in this country, whether in defence or midfield. Start attacking more, Sven!
Steven Reilly, England

I think the team on Saturday should be: Seamen; Neville, Cole, Ehiogu, Southgate; Scholes, Gerrard, Butt, Beckham; Owen and Heskey. I think the link-up play between Neville and Beckham on the right is vital to get the best out of Becks, as seen against Everton on Monday night when Becks was man of the Match.

Also, the two Boro lads in the middle have been outstanding this year, and have a great understanding which is also vital. So come on England, let's get six points on the way to Portugal.
Colin White, England

As an Irishman I believe our success through the years has been the result of one thing - consistency. With Charlton and McCarthy picking practically the same squad for every game, players know where they stand.

This is not the case for England, however. True, there are more players to choose from and keep satisfied, but surely Sven must realise that a solid base of players should be kept in the squad throughout the qualifiers, regardless of form. Maybe this will go some way towards creating and keeping some sort of atmosphere in the camp.
Colm O'Neill, Ireland

Eriksson and other England fans complain about the gap on the left, so why not choose McManaman, who is naturally left sided and solves all the problems? He doesn't play for a team like Real Madrid for nothing!
Anon, Northern Ireland

LAMPARD?! Throw me a bone! And Sven, quit showing loyalty to sub-standard Man Utd players. Why not try Chris Sutton up front with Owen? Just a thought.
Ben, England

Lampard? Unless he's going to be cleaning boots I can't see what he'll be contributing.
Dan, London, UK

I just can't understand Sven's tactics at all. It's true that Lampard is quite creative, but picking him instead of Bowyer and Joe Cole is just ridiculous.
Vivek Partheeban, Australia

I am disappointed with Liverpool for not playing one of the best English keeper prospects: Chris Kirkland. He showed his quality at Coventry and I think he has equal qualities to Dudek. Our other options are Nicky Weaver and Richard Wright!
Jack, England

Why isn't Danny Murphy in the squad? He is in far better form than Lampard or Butt and while I admit last season his main contributions seemed to be tackling and blocking, this season he has been at the centre of all Liverpool's creative play.
Steve Rowlands, England

Not sure what Sven is trying to do here. Thompson is inexperienced at the top level so why take him instead of Bowyer or Joe Cole? I am beginning to think that Sven isn't the football tactical genius that we thought he was. But come one England!!
Van Martin, England

It seems a bit of a coincidence Rio Ferdinand is having his operation just when there's a break in the Premiership for United. Why not play the England games then have the op and miss out United games?

Sven should have more demand over his players and not let Alex have his own way. Let him throw his toys out of the pram (he's a Scot; of course he wants us to loose our best player).
Duncan Newport Black, Wales

I thought seaman was no longer going to be picked for the national side; we should have three young keepers there who are going to be around for the next World Cup.
Steve, England

Well dome Sven! David Thompson has been sensational for Blackburn this season. What a bargain....he fully deserves this call up.
Duncan Barnes, England

Thompson is excellent; he's a gritty and fiery midfielder, just what we need!!
Haq, UK

I still think Steve McManaman is worth a place in the squad. Someone who trains and plays alongside the likes of Ronaldo and Zidane at probably the best club side in the world would surely add something to the England squad.

Macca has "done it" at the highest level and his experiences would be of huge benefit to a young squad.
Dave, England

Just one point - David Thompson was allowed to leave Anfield because of the gulf in class between him and the likes of Gerrard and Murphy. Thompson is a smashing player, but he couldn't hold a torch to Murphy.
Nick, England

The left side of midfield remains a problem and England won't be a world class team until they resolve that issue.
Arnab Chanda, England/USA

Good on Sven for keeping his promise and picking Alan Smith. Over recent months he has proved he can control his temper on the pitch, is giving intelligent, lucid after match interviews and most important of all giving absolutely everything to the cause whilst on the pitch.

His recent performances for Leeds (especially against the Ukrainians where he was subject to constant niggling and gave no response) have been an example of how a player should "work" for their club and country.
Oliver Schofield, UK

How can Sven possibly pick Hargreaves and Lampard ahead of Bowyer? It's ridiculous; Bowyer is one of the best players in the country along with Joe Cole. I have to disagree with most of the squad; he has picked mediocre defensive minded players when he needs young and attacking players! Sven you have made a big mistake.
Tomo, England

Still no David Dunn? He is one of the best midfielders in the Premiership, and when Lampard is called up, David should have his chance!!!
Michael, England

Where's Alan Shearer?
Mr. Raj, England

I can't believe there is no Joe Cole, you always need some flair and he hasn't really been given the right chance. I know West Ham are struggling at the moment but I understand Joe's playing well...perhaps it's time to leave Joe?
Lee, England

I agree that Beckham's performances for Man Utd haven't been great recently, but he seems to really raise his game in an England shirt. My only concern is the left side. As usual we don't have any quality players to fill the gap. I'd like to see Steve McManaman given another chance as well, as he'd inject some much needed pace and creativity.
Chris Bowstead, England

Once again Eriksson has gone for safety first rather than skill and flare. We saw at the World Cup that defensive football can only get you to a certain stage and not the whole way.

What England needs now is creative talents like Joe Cole being called up to roam the midfield. I doubt we will ever see that though. Cautious approaches have been Eriksson's first choice and that will not be good enough against the big countries.
Harry, England

I don't pretend to know more about football than Sven, BUT even I can see Frank Lampard isn't of international standard!

What does he offer to the England team? Joe Cole can bring in something a little different; Lee Bowyer can always get goals. But Lampard? Every Chelsea game I've watched this season he's been average. Come on, surely we should be building a team not bringing in sub-standard players.
Allan , England