Sven-Goran Eriksson has assured Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler that their England futures are secure unless they are completely frozen out of the first team picture at Liverpool and Manchester United.
And the England coach dropped a broad hint that the duo currently out of favour at club level will have a significant part to play in tomorrow night’s friendly international with Holland at White Hart Lane.
Cole has already indicated in the press that he will consider his position at Old Trafford if he has only limited opportunities in Alex Ferguson's last season at the helm.
Then Fowler was clearly upset at being left out of Gerard Houllier's side to face the Red Devils in the Charity Shield at the Millennium stadium on Sunday.
But Eriksson is unconcerned about their current situation and is convinced Fowler and Cole will have enough opportunities during the season to keep them sharp enough to be able to feature with England.
Eriksson said: "I spoke to Robbie Fowler but not about why he didn't play on Sunday. I would never do that. It's not up to me to take part in what's happening up at Liverpool.
"Robbie might not have played Sunday but he has played a lot of the pre-season games. I do not know the ideas of Gerard Houllier but I don't think he will never play Fowler.
"But there is a chance that Fowler and Cole play more than 45 minutes against Holland because they did not play in the Charity Shield and will be fresher."
Eriksson denied reports that he had recommended that Lazio and Inter Milan should sign Fowler. But he did admit that he had told new Manchester United star Veron that he would be ideally suited to playing in the Premiership.
Eriksson said: "It is not correct that I have recommended Fowler to a couple of Italian clubs. In my job it does not matter where a player plays as long as it is with a good club.
"I should never suggest that one of my players goes to another club and I would be very ashamed if I ever did that. No Italian clubs have phoned me about Robbie Fowler. That is the truth."
Eriksson also confirmed that Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves will make his international debut against the Dutch and will feature in at least half of the match.