Already casting an eye towards the World Cup Finals in Germany in 2006, Sven will be using the match at St James’ Park to assess the youthful talent that he has coming through the ranks.

"This is a very important match for England. It is our only get-together after Euro 2004 and before our World Cup campaign gets under way," said Sven, who will name his squad for the game here on TheFA.com on Saturday night.

"It means I must look at players who can be our future. It is the only chance I have. We must build on the camaraderie which already exists. Our time in the North East at Slaley Hall will be very precious."

One man who Sven may well be picking up the phone to is Nicky Butt, the experienced England campaigner who recently swapped Old Trafford for St James’ Park. It seems Sven is as happy with the move as his player.

"I am delighted he has joined Newcastle. That is good for me," he told the Newcastle Chronicle.

"He did not play enough at Old Trafford last season and that did not help him. He needed games.

"As for Dyer, he has been in every England squad I have selected when he has been fit. That is how important I think he is to our squad overall.

"Dyer has been very unlucky with injuries and he needs to stay clear of them this season."

Perhaps Kieron's chances of making the gigantic step from the subs' bench to starting line-up have been helped by the shock international retirement of Paul Scholes.

"I know - I am faced with the same problem on the left side of midfield," smiled Eriksson. "We must come to Newcastle without Scholes, Sol Campbell, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate. That is not ideal but it gives me the opportunity to see who else we have."

Woodgate has been blighted by injury for both club and country and is not available to Eriksson again because of the same injury which prevented him travelling to Lisbon.

But England's supremo insisted: "I have not forgotten about Jonathan.

"He is a fantastic player and it must be remembered he is still young. He is only 24.

"He can still have an international career if he can find an answer to his persistent problems."

Sven is relishing a return to St James' Park after England's reception when he brought his squad up to play Albania.

"The Geordie crowd were wonderful and shouted us on to victory," said Sven. "They are very passionate about football. I love the atmosphere they generate and while Newcastle are their club they are patriotic about their country as well.

"All the players talked about how good their reception had been and we know it will happen again.

"This match is not a nothing game. It is our only get-together before our World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland next month. That means the time we have together is vital."