Eriksson expects a 'thank you': England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger should be thanking him instead of criticising his planned US tour in May.
Ferguson and Wenger have expressed concerns over a trip which includes friendlies against the United States and Colombia at the end of a demanding season.
Asked about the flak as he prepared for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland (kick-off 3pm), Eriksson said: "I think they should say 'thank you' to me instead, because before the fixture list was made for the (World Cup) qualification games I said . . . I had only one request: no games in June. The reason I did that was because I wanted the players to have a long rest before the World Cup year."
Eriksson was successful with that request but had to start qualifying from Group Six last year with two away games, a 2-2 draw in Austria and a 2-1 victory in Poland.
As a result, however, England players will be free while other countries have two qualifiers in early June.
In a further move to placate the leading Premier League clubs, Eriksson also made it clear he would be willing to talk to them about letting certain players miss the US tour.
Striker Andy Johnson has, as expected, been ruled out with an ankle injury.
David Beckham underwent a scan on a back problem yesterday, but Eriksson expects him to play a full part.
Feeney's dream ticket
Stockport striker Warren Feeney was yesterday handed a dream ticket to the World Cup qualifier against England at Old Trafford on Saturday by Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez.
The 24-year-old is back in the Northern Ireland squad two years after winning his last cap for the province because James Quinn is suspended. Feeney has scored 17 goals for the League One strugglers including a hat-trick at the weekend in the defeat by Huddersfield.
Damien Johnson and Stuart Elliott return to the squad after being sidelined for the friendly against Canada last month through injury. Steven Davis retains his place - and looks set to start - after an impressive debut in that defeat at Windsor Park.
Mark Clyde is also named in the 23-man pool, who have assembled at their Cheshire base, even though he is suffering from a knee injury.
SQUAD: Carroll (Man Utd), Taylor (Birmingham), Williams (MK Dons), Craigan (Motherwell), Murdock (Crewe), Hughes (Newcastle), Clyde (Wolves), Baird (Southampton), Capaldi (Plymouth), McCartney (Sunderland), Johnson (Birmingham), Whitley (Sunderland), Doherty (Bristol City), Brunt (Sheff Wed), Davis (Aston Villa), Gillespie (Leicester), Mulryne (Norwich), Jones (Crewe), Elliott (Hull), Smith (Preston), Kirk (Northampton), Healy (Leeds), Feeney (Stockport).
Ferguson fit to face Italy
Scotland captain Barry Ferguson has declared himself fit for Saturday's World Cup showdown in Italy (kick-off 8pm). The Rangers midfielder, who rejoined the Ibrox club from Blackburn in January, has been playing through the pain barrier since his return to Scotland.
But he was able to give new Scotland manager Walter Smith some welcome news ahead of the clash in the San Siro.
Henry and Trezeguet on the mend
France coach Raymond Domenech is confident strikers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet will be fit for the World Cup qualifier against Switzerland on Saturday (kick-off 8pm). "There is no major problem that we have to deal with at the moment," Domenech said.
"Thierry Henry is expected to take part in a light session scheduled this afternoon and he should be okay for the whole training session tomorrow," he said. The Arsenal player has been treated for a strained calf muscle while Trezeguet has a sore ankle. AC Milan midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo should also be fit to face the Swiss after shaking off a leg injury.
Toshack looks to feel-good factor
John Toshack is hoping to tap into the feel-good factor in Welsh sport when his reign as national team manager begins in earnest against Austria on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Toshack wants to emulate the success enjoyed by his country's grand slam-winning rugby union team and attempt to put the football team's faltering World Cup qualifying campaign back on the rails. Wales's chances of recording their first competitive victory in nearly two years have been boosted by the return of Ryan Giggs, who will captain the side in his 50th appearance, although he may be forced to wear a protective mask after breaking his nose in the Champions League defeat by Milan.
