Sven-Goran Eriksson is as yet undecided over who will be England's firepower whe
Sven-Goran Eriksson is as yet undecided over who will be England's firepower when they take on Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday.The England coach looks certain to pick Michael Owen, but has not made his mind over the Liverpool man's partner.
"Michael Owen will start, I guess. But let's see in our practices who will play with him.
"Heskey did very well in the last game and was very lively. But Rooney's fitness is getting better and better this season, and that's good for us."
It's not just a 50/50 battle between the two strikers who came head to head in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park last Saturday though, as Sven also has the option of James Beattie who scored Southampton's late winner over the champions Manchester United on Sunday.
"He deserves to be in the squad," said Sven, "He scored a lot of goals last season and is scoring again now."
However, Sven may still go for experience with Heskey, who was one of England's best performers at Portman Road against Croatia, just getting the nod ahead of the other pair. But following Rooney's impressive first-start in the big-match atmosphere against Turkey in April, Sven may hand the number 9 shirt to the man who is still, in voting terms at least, a boy.
"Experience is always very important," added Sven, "But anyhow I haven't decided who is going to play up front."
To view the Macedonia v England Match Centre, click here...