Dyer (left) - gets the vote over Parlour.

INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Though different players in style, Dyer and Parlour may be competing for a fourth midfield spot alongside Beckham, Gerrard and Scholes.

Dyer is the more creative, Parlour the more industrious but both have made telling contributions in their limited appearances in the national side.

Dyer made a sensational debut for England in September 1999 in the 6-0 drubbing of Luxembourg, terrorising defenders with his pace down the flank from a wing-back role.

He hobbled off at half-time in that match and, though he did get 11 minutes as a substitute three days later in the 0-0 draw in Poland, injury problems have blighted his progress ever since

In half a dozen appearances, he has yet to complete a full 90 minutes and was tried persistently by Kevin Keegan as a right wing-back, which also failed to exploit his attacking talents.

Parlour has also been a bit-part player for his country since making his debut as substitute for Steve McManaman in the 3-1 victory over Poland in a Euro 2000 qualifying clash.

He had to wait a further six months to get his first start against Luxembourg and his only other one was in the 0-0 draw in Finland.

He hasn't scored for his country but came very close in Helsinki when he hit the underside of the bar with a rising shot that video replays showed had actually crossed the line.

Dyer 8/10, Parlour 7/10.

FORM THIS SEASON

Both players has often been on the sidelines while their respective teams have mounted serious championship challenges.

Parlour's season has been spoiled by a niggling back injury that put out for a couple of spells and two red cards, at Middlesbrough in August and Newcastle just before Christmas that led to suspensions.

But he has sparkled in several key games for the Gunners and often excels when Patrick Vieira is in the Gunners line-up.

Dyer's injuries have been more serious and he spent a year out of the game with recurring problems with shin splints.

But he returned fresh just before Christmas and immediately set about invigorating the Magpies' title challenge.

He was a constant threat in their major Festive period victories over Arsenal and Leeds but needed 10 games to get his goal tally moving after his return.

Dyer 8/10, Parlour 7/10

FINISHING

Neither player has been prolific, widely regarded as creators rather than scorers of goals.

Dyer managed 13 goals in 106 appearances for Ipswich before his £6.5m move to Newcastle.

Since then he has averaged around one goal in every 10 games at St James' Park though constant positional changes and the presence of Alan Shearer have meant he has not had to concentrate hard on scoring.

Parlour has a more defensive role at Highbury though he has developed a reputation for timing late runs into the opposition box.

In more than 300 matches for Arsenal, he still has less than 30 goals but is only ever used as a supporting midfield player while Dyer often gets to play as the attacking member of a midfield quartet.

Dyer 8/10, Parlour 8/10.

PACE

Dyer wins this contest hands-down.

His burst of speed is his prime weapon in taking on defences and he has proved to be a real threat when allowed to run at the opposition unchecked form the halfway line.

Dyer's introdcution to the England side was characterised by searing brusts down the flank and if he stays clear of injury, at 23 years of age, his pace should be a clear asset for years to come.

Parlour replaces lightinign pace with boundless stamina, able to get up and down the pitch all day.

His all-round mobility disguises his shortcomings in a head-to-head sprint and his speed at closing down opponents is one of Arsenal's strengths in midfield.

But as he heads towards his 30th birthday, Parlour's experience will have to be brought to bear as his energy levels diminish.

Dyer 9/10, Parlour 8/10.

LINK PLAY

Dyer is the more individual of the two players and less inclined to link up play.

But since his return form injury just before Christmas, Dyer has shown an ability to drop deep and play the killer pass rather than run at defenders all the time.

His performance in exploiting Leeds' shaky rearguard in Newcastle's stirring 4-3 victory at Elland Road revealed a more mature Dyer.

Parlour's non-stop running and tough tackling has endeared him to a generation of Gooners and he is invariably available as an outlet for the man in possession.

But his greatest contribution to team play is his knack at runing beyond the forwards, a quality that will be needed this summer as strikers are so tightly marked in the modern game.

Dyer 7/10, Parlour 8/10.

TOTALS: Dyer 40, Parlour 38.

Sportinglife.com verdict:

Dyer should be a real contender for Sven's squad this summer if he can stay fit and out of trouble.

Dyer's injury problems have been well documented but he looks to have put the worst behind him.

But his off-field problems may not be in the past as Dyer has too often been involved in a series of unsavoury incidents that has led to his Newcastle boss Bobby Robson telling his young protee that his career in the game would be wrecked unless his after-match exploits were curtailed.

Perhaps Dyer can take the example of Parlour to heart. He was a wayward youngster in his early days at Highbury but was chastened by Tony Adams' and Paul Merson's problems with alcohol and has re-emerged fitter and stronger under Arsene Wenger.

The feeling persists that although Parlour would never let you down, he may not possess enough real quality to be a factor for Eriksson.