Seaman: Still number one (LGriffiths/GettyImages)

Eriksson had indicated earlier this week he would ask Seaman, who has just turned 39, whether he felt he could carry on until the Euro 2004 finals.

However, he subsequently realised it would be an unfair question and has therefore left the ball in the net of the Arsenal goalkeeper.

'I thought about it later and wondered what I should say to Seaman,' said Eriksson. 'It's not really my job to ask him how long he wants to play football.

'Maybe Arsene Wenger should do that so that he can plan for the future if they want to buy another goalkeeper.

'But as long as David Seaman plays football as he's doing for Arsenal then I'm happy. If he wants to finish after this game, that should be a pity. I just told him `what should I ask you?''

Seaman returns for tonight's Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia after being rested for last month's friendly at home to Portugal when David James deputised.

Gary Neville is also back in the side after recovering from injury, while Jonathan Woodgate has been chosen to partner Gareth Southgate instead of his Middlesbrough team-mate Ugo Ehiogu.

'I'm sure that Woodgate has a great future as a central defender. He's one of those modern players, not only a big strong stopper but he can play football as well and is very elegant,' said Eriksson.

Neither Southgate nor Woodgate have played a minute of competitive football under Eriksson, but there is at least plenty of experience, if not necessarily natural width, in midfield.

Paul Scholes is being asked to fill the left-sided void, just as he did against Argentina at the World Cup before Owen Hargreaves' early injury forced a change of plan.

'Wherever he plays, he plays very good football so I'm sure he can do it. If he did it with Manchester United, he can do it with us,' added Eriksson, who has Nicky Butt and Steven Gerrard in the centre.

That means Emile Heskey moves back up front, where he is more comfortable, although the price is high - England lose the fiery attitude and zest of Alan Smith.

'Heskey is an excellent centre-forward. He's not Beckham, Scholes or Owen, but his qualities are strength, ability to hold the ball up, good heading and he can score goals,' added Eriksson.

The challenge for England, especially on a bumpy pitch which hardly suits a passing game, will now be to adopt a positive attitude.

Eriksson rejected claims from the World Cup that England were too reliant on long balls, arguing he had never asked his side to play in that way.

'That's never been my tactic. But when you become tired and don't have movement, you have less options, then they become long balls,' he said.