Eriksson in frame as new US manager

Sven Goran Eriksson is being considered as a replacement for Bruce Arena as coach of the United States, according to reports in America.

Yesterday's New York Times reported that United States Soccer Federation officials have spoken to the former England manager - although the Americans would struggle to meet his wage demands if he were to seek a deal similar to the one he enjoyed with England.

Several high-profile coaches have been linked with the job, including the former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who lived in Southern California throughout his German tenure, and Jose Pekerman, who led Argentina to this year's World Cup quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has pulled out of Sweden's squad for two 2008 European championship qualifiers next month because he had been disciplined for breaking a curfew.

Lars Lagerback, the Sweden coach, said last night that the Internazionale striker is refusing to play against Spain on 7 October or Iceland four days later because he was dropped for Sweden's 3-1 win against Liechtenstein on 7 September. Lagerback had dropped Ibrahimovic after he broke the squad's curfew to visit a night-club in the days before the Liechtensetin match.