Campbell illness can leave gap for Ehiogu

Sven Goran Eriksson was able to put aside a problem at No 5 last night to attend a reception at No 10. This morning, however, unless Sol Campbell has risen from his sickbed, he must begin building a new central defence.

Campbell failed to join up with the England squad, which trained at Bisham Abbey before visiting Downing Street, having suffered a stomach bug. Also absent from the reception for the World Cup players and staff was his defensive partner in Japan, Rio Ferdinand, who is recuperating from Saturday's knee operation.

With Martin Keown and Wes Brown injured that leaves only Gareth Southgate of the five centre-backs involved during the summer currently fit to play in Saturday's European Championship qualifier in Slovakia. Should Campbell fail to recover in time to join tomorrow's flight to Bratislava, Eriksson will have to choose between Ugo Ehiogu and Jonathan Woodgate as Southgate's partner. Danny Mills has played at centre-half for Leeds but is unlikely to do so in Slovakia.

Since his host last night is currently deciding whether to commit British troops to military action, Eriksson may reflect that his dilemma is a mild one, but it is important within the limited context of a qualifying campaign. England's last two attempts to reach major championships began with damaging defeats and while they were successful that was only after a change of manager.

A strong central defence is key to surviving the opening tie, but neither contender is experienced at international level. Ehiogu has won four caps, all as substitute, and none in a competitive match. Woodgate has two caps. The first was in a European qualifier three years ago; the other, after a lengthy hiatus during his court case, in last month's friendly against Portugal.

The factor likely to tip the balance is Ehiogu's long-running domestic partnership with Southgate, first at Aston Villa and now at Middlesbrough where they are managed by England coach Steve McClaren. Tord Grip, Eriksson's assistant, is also a fan. He said: "They are playing very well, as well as they have ever done." Woodgate may also be seen as too similar in style to Southgate whose awareness and distribution better complement Ehiogu's adhesive marking and aerial power.

Gary Neville's likely return is another factor in Ehiogu's favour as it would exclude Mills. In the absence of Ferdinand and Campbell, Eriksson would welcome Neville's experience and he said yesterday he was confident the defender was ready.

The rest of Eriksson's squad are expected to be fit although Paul Scholes was late joining up after having a scan on his long-running ankle problem, and several others missed training. These were the Manchester United players in action at Old Trafford on Monday night, including David Beckham, who bruised a calf, plus Woodgate, Ashley Cole, and Steven Gerrard. The latter three all completed 90 minutes on Sunday. Only Campbell is, at present, regarded as doubtful.

Of those players not present, Eriksson dismissed suggestions that Lee Bowyer had been dropped as "his face did not fit" and stressed Joe Cole had the quality to be a regular but, like Bowyer, was not in sufficient form. Both omissions are logical. Such is the competition in midfield, fringe players must be performing at their best to justify a squad place. If they are not Eriksson, who has few opportunities to experiment, is justified in having a look at how players such as David Thompson respond in training and around the camp. Cole, Eriksson noted, would be better served playing for the Under-21s than watching the seniors. The same applies to Michael Carrick.

At the other end of the age range Eriksson said he would be asking David Seaman how long he hoped to continue playing. Eriksson believes Seaman remains the best goalkeeper in England, but needs to know if the Arsenal man is planning to retire before the Championship. The answer, on all previous evidence, is: "No".

Like Kevin Keegan before him, Eriksson starts his first full campaign with the initial enthusiasm at his appointment having been dulled by doubts. The country at large appears to be more supportive than the media ­ Tony Blair does not associate himself with unpopular enterprises ­ but Eriksson nevertheless needs a good week.

He was upbeat yesterday, pointing out he was now better equipped than when he first arrived in England as he knew the players. In 21 months since being appointed he has taken charge of 21 internationals and seen hundreds of Premiership matches. "If everyone is fit we should have a very good team in 2004," he said. "We are one of seven or eight countries that can win it. We need to improve but not by that much. And this team is a young one. It will improve."