England's stars are still young.

By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

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England's World Cup exit at the hands of Brazil is likely to signal the end of some international careers as Sven-Goran Eriksson builds for the future.

Veteran keeper David Seaman, 39 in September, may still be able to hold back the tide of time, but for the likes of Teddy Sheringham, 36, and Martin Keown, who will celebrate his 36th birthday next month, the clock is ticking.

At 31, Gareth Southgate and David James will feel they can still figure in the European Championship Finals in Portugal in two years' time and even the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

And behind them, Trevor Sinclair is next in line at 29 with key quartet Sol Campbell, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt all just 27, as is Gary Neville, who missed out this summer through injury.

But it is the likes of Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen, Wayne Bridge, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Darius Vassell, Kieron Dyer and the injured Steven Gerrard, all 23 or under, who give the greatest feeling of optimism.

Eriksson has demonstrated that he believes youth is no bar in international football by handing Ashley Cole, Hargreaves, Owen and Vassell key roles in the World Cup campaign, and he knows he has the basis of a squad which will develop in the years to come.

However, the hunt for talent is never-ending and the Swede will keep a keen eye on the next generation of full internationals as he plots the way forward.

Under-21s boss David Platt has been out in Japan with the senior squad and will provide Eriksson with a complete dossier on the players he believes can make the step up from that level to the big stage.

Platt returned from the European Championship Finals in Switzerland a disappointed man after seeing his side fail to make the semi-finals after defeats by Italy and Portugal.

Half of his squad are now ineligible to play at under-21 level, but some of those he has lost - as well as a handful of those who remain - will be looking to make the step up in the coming months and years.

Several have genuine chances, and although the age profile of Eriksson's current crop suggests that it will be difficult, there is no need for any further incentive.

PAUL ROBINSON

Leeds keeper Robinson has been capped 11 times at under-21 level and was outstanding in Switzerland.

With Seaman and Martyn representing the top end of the age scale, the 22-year-old will have high hopes of catching Eriksson's eye, although his lack of first-team football at Elland Road may hold him back.

GARETH BARRY<

Already capped at senior level, the versatile Barry is enjoying a new lease of life at Aston Villa in the wake of Graham Taylor's return.

Once tipped as the man to solve the senior team's problems on the left side of defence, he has slipped down the pecking order behind Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge, but at his best, would push either.

LEDLEY KING<

King missed the Under-21 Championships through injury, which was a desperately disappointing end to what had been an excellent season.

Such was his form for Spurs that the loss of Sol Campbell to arch-rivals Arsenal did not prove as big a blow as the club's supporters feared, but with Campbell and Ferdinand so good in the Far East and Southgate waiting in line, the competition for places in central defence is intense.

MICHAEL CARRICK

Another who did not make the trip to Switzerland through injury, Carrick had been an outside bet for the senior squad.

A cultured midfielder who is a fixture in the West Ham side, he is as solid defensively as he is creative going forward and won a first full cap as a substitute against Mexico in May last year.

DAVID DUNN<

Under-21s skipper Dunn was also tipped to make the senior squad and was on stand-by as injuries to Gerrard, Beckham and Dyer threatened to wreck Eriksson's plans.

Skilful, inventive and lethal from distance, the Blackburn midfielder, who prefers playing centrally but can operate wide or as an auxiliary striker, is coveted by several Premiership clubs.

ALAN SMITH<

The star of the under-21s' ill-fated campaign, Smith thrived on the responsibility handed to him by Platt and showed impressive discipline in the face of provocation.

Few have ever doubted his talent, but his growing maturity is a huge plus for both Leeds and England, and he too was placed on stand-by for the Far East after his efforts in Switzerland.

JERMAINE JENAS

Perhaps one for the more distant future, Jenas' blossoming talent persuaded Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson to invest £5million in his services in February.

Just 19, he demonstrated nerves of steel when making his first United start in the white-hot derby atmosphere a Sunderland, and his quality in central midfield won him a call-up from his former Nottingham Forest boss for the tournament in Switzerland.