As the contrasting fates, post-Amsterdam, of Darius Vassell and Michael Ricketts demonstrate, time is short. Seize the moment, or be cast aside.Among those seeking, against Italy at Elland Road, to make an irresistible case for inclusion, are Owen Hargreaves, Frank Lampard and Trevor Sinclair. The latter has even given up alcohol in an attempt to win a place, a sacrifice which proves that while this match may be a friendly it is far from meaningless.Even those who can be fairly sure of a Japanese June are not without incentive. Tonight’s centre-halves, Sol Campbell and Gareth Southgate, are vying for the right to partner Rio Ferdinand.

Campbell is the man in possession, but has yet to fully convince.Eriksson should certainly learn more about their respective claims for Italy are going into the match with Christian Vieri and Francesco Totti in attack. He may thus also gain some further clues as to which keepers should accompany David Seaman to Asia.Of his injury doubts, Eriksson lost Paul Scholes and Ashley Cole yesterday They returned to their clubs, as did Dyer. Wayne Bridge thus has the chance to prove that his promising performance against the Netherlands was not a one-off.The absence of Scholes and Gerrard has highlighted England’s dependence upon them in central midfield. “Any team would miss them, they are world-class,” said Eriksson as he pondered who should stand in. Beckham hopes it will be him, but Eriksson may feel that only creates another problem. Hargreaves, he confirmed, would get at least 45 minutes in central midfield “He is a special player,” said Eriksson. “He even played right-back in Bayern’s last two matches, and did well.” With Eriksson able to call upon 11 substitutes Lampard, Nicky Butt, Joe Cole and Danny Murphy can all expect to figure at some stage.On the left it may be Sinclair’s final chance to impress before Dyer wins a long-awaited first cap under Eriksson.

This week, at least, the England coach has been able to watch him in training although, under doctor’s orders, he will not play.”It has been nice to meet him at last,” said Eriksson “He has been good in training. He is a modern footballer: He is quick, can run all day, defends, scores goals.”There is one further friendly, against Paraguay at Anfield next month, before Eriksson picks his squad and he said of Dyer: “It will be nice if he plays against Paraguay and if he doesn’t have any more injuries he will do. If he cannot play then I will have to think about his situation. As a footballer he has to go to Japan, but you cannot take players who could break down after one game.”Eriksson’s desire to include Dyer is ironic given his commitment to choosing a squad of stable characters able to cope with being interned in a hotel for seven weeks with nothing, but themselves and their Gameboys for company. Dyer’s career has been pockmarked by a string of late-night incidents and not everyone at Newcastle regards him as a good influence in the dressing room.Such behaviour would be anathema to the Italians who have long been a byword for professionalism. Off the pitch that shows in the way they look after their bodies. On it, noted Eriksson, it is underlined by their ability to defend patiently before stealing a match.

Lapsing into Italian he described it as “furbo”, a word best translated as “shrewd”. It could equally be applied to Eriksson himself or his opponent tonight, the legendary Giovanni Trappatoni.The most successful coach in Serie A will field a strong XI, albeit in an experimental shape. For the first time under Trappatoni, who took over after Euro 2000, Italy will play 4-4-2. This is partly to see if, by playing Christiano Doni on the left, he can include the Atalanta playmaker and Totti in the same team.Though Italy are notoriously disinterested in friendlies, the combination of last week’s Champions’ League embarrassment and the sight of a former Serie A coach in the opposition dug-out should ensure that they raise a gallop. If so they will be testing opposition, having cruised through World Cup qualifying unbeaten conceding only three goals Last-gasp heroics were not required..