Eriksson senses players' urgency
Sven-Goran Eriksson feels there is an added sense of urgency among his England squad for the friendly against Uruguay at Anfield Tonight.
The game is England's last before Eriksson is due to announce his World Cup squad on 15 May.
"Everybody wants to be in the squad and everybody wants to be in the team because they know this is the last chance when we are together," he said.
"That's very good. They can feel the World Cup is close."
Fifa has set a deadline of 15 May for coaches to name their World Cup squads, but Eriksson is hopeful the date will be put back.
"I know a lot of other managers are not happy with the date," said the Swede.
"It's too early and we will be bringing it up with Fifa when we have a coaches' workshop. I'm confident it will be changed."
However, Eriksson said he knew who would make up most of his 23-man squad to travel to Germany - barring injuries.
"If all the players are fit and in good form, then maybe it's difficult to choose the last two or three," he said.
We will wait a long time to rule him out because he is one of the best left-backs in the world
"But are they all fit? What's going to happen with Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate, Kieron Dyer, Michael Owen, Ashley Cole?
"I can't be sure. I can't do anything about it. I have to wait and see if they play regularly for their club."
Arsenal left-back Cole suffered a sprained ankle while playing for his club's reserves on Monday and now faces another spell on the sidelines following foot and thigh injuries.
Eriksson said Cole would be given as much as time as possible to prove his fitness for the World Cup.
"I'm told it's not the same injury as before but I haven't been able to check it out yet," said Eriksson.
"But I can say that we will wait a long time to rule him out because he is one of the best left-backs in the world."
After the game against Uruguay, England have two more friendlies, against Hungary on 30 May and Jamaica on 3 June, before the World Cup.
Eriksson said he and the FA were discussing staging another game to give squad players a chance to play.
"We have enough games for the first XI, but maybe for those finishing the league on 6 May we might try to organise one more friendly."
Bent & Carrick get England chance
Darren Bent and Michael Carrick have both been given an opportunity to seal a place in England's World Cup squad with a starting berth against Uruguay.
Charlton striker Bent wins his first cap and will start up front alongside Wayne Rooney while Tottenham midfielder Carrick comes in for Frank Lampard.
Chelsea midfielder Lampard was withdrawn from the team after complaining of a tight hamstring.
Wayne Bridge steps in for the injured Ashley Cole at left back.
Bent has scored 13 Premiership goals in 26 appearances for his club this season, while Carrick has been in impressive form for Tottenham.
The 21-year-old Bent was first included in an England squad ahead of the friendly against Denmark in August, which ended in a 4-1 defeat. Bent was an unused substitute.
England assistant coach Tord Grip has been impressed with Bent's attitude and ability in training.
"He has been very sharp in every training session he's played with us, but particularly over the last couple of days," Grip told the Football Association's website.
"I think his finishing has really improved this season.
"At Ipswich it might have been the case that he'd take three chances to get a goal. Now, he looks like he can score from nearly every chance he gets.
"He's fast, he's strong and he's good in the air. He has all the qualities that we look for in a striker."
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will start, despite Reds boss Rafael Benitez's fears about his fitness, while David Beckham has shaken off a back injury to take his place as captain.
Gerrard required treatment on a foot injury in Liverpool's win over Manchester City on Sunday, prompting Benitez to call on Eriksson to leave him out of the team to face Uruguay.
But Gerrard said earlier: "I understand Rafa being cautious and wanting to be careful with me because we've got some massive games coming up for Liverpool.
"But this is a big friendly on Wednesday, it's preparation for the World Cup, and I want to be part of it."
He added: "The only time I think about tiredness and burn-out is when people ask me about it. I don't feel tired, I feel really fresh. My body's in good condition.
"No matter how many games I play this season I'll be fresh and ready for the World Cup when it starts."
Kick-off for the match has been delayed as players will respect a one-minute silence for Chelsea legend Peter Osgood who died on Wednesday morning.
Uruguay have been hit by the withdrawals of Alvaro Recoba and Diego Lopez from Wednesday's game.
Inter Milan playmaker Recoba and Cagliari defender Lopez have both reported injuries, reducing the travelling party to 19 players for the Anfield encounter.
Caretaker boss Gustavo Ferrin has not named any replacements.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England team for friendly against Uruguay at Anfield on Wednesday:
Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Gary Neville (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Wayne Bridge (Fulham), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Michael Carrick (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Darren Bent (Charlton)
Lampard to undergo scan on injury
Frank Lampard will have a scan on Wednesday on the hamstring injury that ruled him out of England's friendly against Uruguay at Anfield.
The 27-year-old is believed to have picked up the knock while playing for Chelsea against Barcelona in the Champions League last week.
He then aggravated the injury during an England training session on Tuesday.
He is doubtful for Saturday's game at West Brom and could also miss the return leg against Barcelona.
Chelsea lost the first leg of their last 16 match against the Spaniards 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues found themselves down to 10 men when Asier del Horno was sent off and Lampard was understood to have played on in the match after picking up the injury because of his side's disadvantage.
However, the midfielder recovered enough to play the full game against Portsmouth and score to help Chelsea to victory last Saturday.
The Blues, who have a 15-point lead in the Premiership, will be hoping Lampard recovers in time for next Tuesday's match at the Nou Camp, with Michael Essien and Del Horno already out because of suspension.
