Sven will announce his final 23 in May, and although there is just one more fixture between now and then - next Wednesday’s clash with Uruguay - the national head coach insists that English players will have opportunities to impress him in their club games.

Eriksson lost both Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard to injury in the run-up to the last World Cup four years ago, so he is well aware that he will need the cream of English football to be on stand-by for a call-up.

He said: "We will announce the World Cup squad in May so of course there is time for players to force their way into the squad. The Uruguay game is the last game before the World Cup, but after it I will be going around watching matches as usual.

"Injuries are the biggest problem we might have and you can’t do anything about it. Every time you see one of the English players go down injured you are almost scared.

"It is very important that we have fit players and not injured players in May, that is the most important thing."

Next week’s friendly match at Anfield offers a chance for those already in the squad to stake a claimfor a place in the World Cup starting line-up, with the strikers particularly keen to impress alongside Wayne Rooney in the absence of the injured Michael Owen.

 "We are going to start with the best possible team against Uruguay. We are going to have four strikers but I’m not sure who is going to play up-front with Wayne Rooney.

"It’s possible that I might give two people the opportunity to play with Rooney. "Darren Bent will be in the squad for sure and Wayne Bridge is back, which is good because Ashley Cole is not available.

"Sol Campbell is also out along with Kieron Dyer and Jonathon Woodgate unfortunately. I wanted to pick Woodgate but he is injured again, which is a pity."

There is also an incentive to the injured Campbell, whose place in the national side has been called into question during recent weeks.

Sven reassured the England defender that he is still a big part of his plans for the summer.

"I talked to Sol, we discussed the World Cup and he definitely wants to be there. I am very happy about that because a fit Sol Campbell is always good to have on your side. He is a rock.

"There is the chance that it could be his last World Cup so I think he’ll do everything to be ready for Germany."