McManaman gets the nod.

By Graham Shaw

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Sven-Goran Eriksson will name his England World Cup squad this week. Here's the men I think he should choose to take on the world.

GOALKEEPERS

David Seaman (Arsenal): Seaman has proved his fitness in recent weeks and gets his place on merit. Despite his occasional lapses, the ponytailed Arsenal stopper provides a commanding figure behind the defence.

David James (West Ham): The most naturally talented goalkeeper in the country, who will provide top-class cover for Seaman. Great shot-stopper who has improved in other areas of his game too.

Richard Wright (Arsenal): Promising young keeper who has deputised ably for Seaman at Arsenal when the main man has been injured. Worth his place.

DEFENDERS

Sol Campbell (Arsenal): Not sure he'd be in my starting 11 but well worth his place in the squad. Excellent man marker but limited when on the ball.

Rio Ferdinand (Leeds): Has grown in confidence and stature since joining Leeds and then becoming captain at Elland Road. Has cut out the silly lapses that made you wonder whether the £18million Leeds paid for him was a huge mistake.

Wayne Bridge (Southampton): Highly promising left-back who is good on the ball and in defence. Can play further forward on that side if required, depending on which formation Eriksson opts for.

Ashley Cole (Arsenal): Superb going forward with great pace, but not so great defensively. Can be caught sleeping by passes played inside him to wingers, but still a great talent in the making.

Martin Keown (Arsenal): A rock in Arsenal's march to glory this season, and an absolute certainty for the squad. Cool and assured, and has become an immovable object at the heart of a superb Highbury back four.

Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough): I wasn't a Southgate fan until this season, but the former Palace and Villa star has made a believer of me. Talented defender who uses the ball well and is coolness itself.

Jamie Carragher (Liverpool): Will be the first-choice right-back now that Gary Neville is not an option. Defensively excellent, but not great going forward. But if you're expecting your right-back to win games for you, what does it say for the rest of your team?

MIDFIELDERS:

David Beckham (Manchester United): What can you say - vital to England's cause. Should be over his foot injury by the time we play Sweden. Can run the game from the centre of the pitch - his preferred position - or out wide. Great passer of a ball and deadly from free-kicks.

Paul Scholes (Manchester United): Another man who requires little introduction. Talented all-round midfielder who makes superb runs forward and is a great finisher. Like David Platt, only better.

Danny Murphy (Liverpool): Wins his place on merit after another excellent season for Liverpoool. Scores goals and provides depth on the right.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): The most promising player in English football right now - bar none. Superhuman strength, fantastic passing ability and great touch - what more can you say. Has had his injury problems but a certain starter if fit.

Nicky Butt (Manchester United): At Christmas Butt probably wouldn't have made a 40-man squad, but since then he's been Manchester United's most improved player. Strong in the tackle with good feet. Has cut out his tendency to give the ball away too easily.

Steve McManaman (Real Madrid): Gets the vote over Joe Cole because of two reasons. Firstly he's proven at a higher level - having won a European Cup with Real Madrid. Secondly he doesn't give the ball away cheaply - at least not for Madrid. Has disappointed for England in the past however and this really is last-chance saloon.

Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United): Exciting talent who could be Eriksson's trump card in the Far East. Has been injury-prone which is a worry, but when fit is an exciting talent. If he's fit we won't be wondering why Joe Cole was left at home. Can play wide which adds to his value.

Ray Parlour (Arsenal): Another man who provides great depth and versatility. Overshadowed in a great Arsenal team by team-mates who have a higher profile. But is underrated and will do a good job if required.

STRIKERS:

Michael Owen (Liverpool): The European Footballer of the Year, and one of the continent's most feared strikers. Great finisher with blinding pace - a fearsome all-round package. His all-round game continues to develop. One worry surrounds the injury problems which sometimes seem to dog him. Must be fit for England to have a good tournament.

Emile Heskey (Liverpool): Strong, pacey player who has been an admirable foil for Owen at Liverpool. Scores his fair share of goals too, but his finishing doesn't compare with Owen.

Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham): Hugely talented player who continues to do it at the highest level at the age of 36. Sheringham never had any pace so his age isn't that big a deal. Clever player with great touch and superb finishing ability. Makes as many goals as he scores. Would be an intriguing partner for Owen.

Robbie Fowler (Leeds): The most naturally talented centre-forward in England. Has a wand for a left foot and is a great all-round footballer. Has struggled in recent weeks as Leeds suffered a disappointing climax to their season.

Darius Vassell (Aston Villa): The sleeper in the squad. Raw young striker who has great pace and plenty of potential. Gets in for the ability to trouble defences, particularly coming off the bench.

VERDICT

I've tried to go for a balanced squad that covers for every eventuality.

I just don't like players being played out of position at the top level - they tend to get found out.

At the back Jamie Carragher will be the first-choice right-back.

In midfield Nicky Butt has been Manchester United's best player since Christmas and earns his place.

Kieron Dyer provides the potential to unlock defences, while Steve McManaman gets in ahead of Joe Cole because he's proven at a higher level, and can play on the left.

Cole must wait until 2004. Lee Bowyer would have got a place for me but isn't being considered, and Danny Murphy takes his place as a goalscoring midfielder.

Finally Ray Parlour tends to be overshadowed by his high-profile team-mates at Arsenal, but is hugely underrated.

He'll provide depth on the right. Up front the first four pick themselves, and I'd be intrigued to see how Sheringham and Owen would play together.

The fifth man is Darius Vassell, who has plenty of pace and potential. He's raw but could be real threat to defences coming off the bench.

A fifth striker is required because Owen and Fowler have had plenty of injury problems in the past. The one position that worries me is goalkeeper. The nature of the job means if you have a settled first choice nobody else gets any experience. If Seaman gets injured there's very little international experience behind him, and I'm not sure Nigel Martyn (great club keeper though he is) is quite up to the task.

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