20 October 2004
Sven Exclusive

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Sven has revealed that the door is most definitely open for new players as England endeavour to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

In an exclusive interview with TheFA.com for England TV, Sven spoke of the possibilities for England's young stars to break into the senior set-up. He revealed that Stewart Downing, who scored a vital goal in Europe for Middlesbrough on Thursday night, is a man he's keeping a very keen eye on:

"It’s quite possible - he’s doing well for the Under-21s and for Middlesbrough," he explained.

"We haven’t had that natural left midfielder for a long time, like a Beckham on the right side or a Shaun Wright-Phillips, so of course I look for that

"You have Carlton Cole and other interesting players too.

"The World Cup is more than one and a half years ahead so of course the door is always open for new players - the team is younger and younger every time we get together."

So what will Sven do until March, when the World Cup qualifiers get underway again?

"Go and see football!," he said. "At least we have friendlies - one in November against Spain and one in February, so that’s very good.

"Life goes on and of course I look forward to March, when we are playing real competitive games, because that’s the way to live."