Sven's defensive dilemma

Sven-Goran Eriksson was today preparing to name a provisional 23-man squad for the championships, with central defensive concerns weighing on his mind.

While Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate have already been ruled out, the England coach has now seemingly accepted he will also be without Gareth Southgate.

Barring a late change of mind, Eriksson indicated over the weekend that he "doubted" Southgate would be fit in time, despite the defender's own optimism about recovering from a knee injury.

But with Wes Brown, Matthew Upson and Ugo Ehiogu apparently having fallen out of favour, Ledley King and Jamie Carragher have now emerged as the favourites to accompany Campbell and John Terry in the squad.

Onus on Campbell

That places even greater responsibility on Sol Campbell, who - along with Gary Neville - is the one experienced international in the back line.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger nevertheless insisted: "Sol will be all right for this summer and England cannot afford to lose him now. It's a problem they have but he's been remarkable this season."

With Norwich's Robert Green due to undergo surgery this summer, Leicester's Ian Walker has emerged as the likely third-choice goalkeeper behind David James.

And while Eriksson must choose between Phil Neville and Danny Mills as the right-back understudy, his main choice seems to centre around whether he can find a place for Jermain Defoe.

His right-hand man, Tord Grip, is understood to be a major fan of the promising striker, but Eriksson has always shown loyalty to Darius Vassell, as well as squad certainties Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey.

Vassell fitness check

He will therefore have been closely checking on Vassell's fitness after missing Aston Villa's defeat to Manchester United on Saturday due to a recurrence of a recent hamstring injury.

The midfielders, meanwhile, virtually pick themselves as long as Eriksson takes eight of them, with Jermaine Jenas injured and Scott Parker set to miss out.

As long as Kieron Dyer can prove his fitness after returning to action, he should go with Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard as back-up to David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Steven Gerrard.

Eriksson has consistently indicated he would take two players in each position - meaning eight defenders, eight midfielders and four strikers, as well as three goalkeepers.

Now, however, is the moment of truth.