Sven-Goran Eriksson was coy yesterday about the identity of the next England captain, to be announced today. It is hardly surprising. He has not had to choose one until now.
Does the matter of who leads England out against Paraguay at Anfield tomorrow night now that David Beckham is injured really matter? The reason Eriksson needs to give the matter more than a passing thought, however, is that whoever is given the role tomorrow evening will have the chance to establish a prima facie case for promotion if Beckham's broken foot does not heal in time for the World Cup.
Eriksson's difficulty is that the sort of players who might fill the bill tomorrow may not be his first choices for Japan. Gareth Southgate, experienced and articulate, would have to displace Rio Ferdinand in the middle of the defence.
Sol Campbell, out tomorrow with a hamstring injury, has already led England but how solid is his partnership with Ferdinand in Eriksson's mind? Of the two, in fact, Ferdinand, another absentee this week, looks the better bet.
If seniority is the deciding factor David Seaman is the obvious candidate. Gary Neville is favoured by some although he is surely one of life's natural lieutenants. The last England captain before Beckham was Martin Keown, who led the side in Helsinki 18 months ago when England, with Howard Wilkinson in charge, shared a scoreless draw.
Since Keown is in the present squad only after the loss of Campbell and Ugo Ehiogu to hamstring injuries in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final, he is unlikely to be recommissioned. Eriksson could give it to Steven Gerrard but he might last only until the next groin strain.
Maybe Eriksson will decide tomorrow's line-up first and then think about who should lead it. The choice could lie between Seaman and Southgate, ponytail or horse sense, but Gary Neville might still come up on the rails.
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