Sven-Goran Eriksson has declared himself open to the idea of playing Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard alongside a holding midfielder - if he can find a player suitable for the job.

Time is running out for the England manager before he finalises his World Cup squad, and few places remain available in what is a largely settled squad.

But Eriksson has admitted it is not too late to impress him, and he also recognises England could benefit from taking a no-nonsense midfield tackler with them to Germany.

Ledley King was already been tried out in midfield, coping well against Argentina, but he is primarily a defender.

Eriksson is keeping his options open but is adamant Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can dovetail together in his midfield.

"They can do it - of course they can do it," he told Sky Sports News.
 
"But if we want to have one sitting midfielder then we have to find one. It's one area which we are going to look at, that's for sure, because maybe you need it at some stage in the World Cup."

Eriksson's admission that he needs to “find” such a player suggests he is ready to look outside the current squad.

Newcastle's Scott Parker could be a leading contender, having impressed consistently despite his club's travails this season, while striker-turned-midfielder Alan Smith could also enter Eriksson's thinking on a serious basis if he does well for Manchester United in the coming months.

Manchester City's Joey Barton is an outsider, but has shown outstanding form this season.

Eriksson added: “There's time for other players to knock on the door. I will open it maybe.”