A keeper of his kingdom

These qualities could give Seaman the England captaincy against Cameroon if Eriksson rests Michael Owen, who has had the responsibility of leading the team in the absence of David Beckham. Seaman and Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate are the obvious candidates for the job if Owen doesn't play.

Seaman, who made his England debut in a 1-1 draw in Saudi Arabia in 1988, played a major role in Arsenal's memorable winning climax to the season. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal coach, still rates him alongside the best in the world.

Signed from Queens Park Rangers in 1990, Seaman has made more appearances than any other goalkeeper in Arsenal's history and, although he's won the domestic Double twice, has appeared in only one previous World Cup tournament.

That was in France in 1998 when he was the England goalkeeper beaten 4-3 on penalties by Argentina after a 2-2 draw in St. Etienne.

Nonetheless, he brings to the squad an unrivalled depth of experience after working under seven different England managers since Bobby Robson gave him his debut at international level.

At 6ft 4in his ponytail makes him a distinctive figure and he could challenge France's Fabien Barthez, Germany's Oliver Kahn and Italy's Gianluigi Buffon as one of the goalkeeping heroes of this World Cup.

What is clear is that this will be the last chance of World Cup glory for the gentle Yorkshireman who was rejected as a youngster by Leeds United. "I don't yet know when I'll hang up my boots but, realistically, I won't go on for too many more seasons," admitted Seaman.

Apart from huge experience, he has an excellent positioning sense and remains a great shot stopper. If he has a weakness it is his declining mobility, an inevitability for a goalkeeper of his age.

But he has shrugged off the challenge of Richard Wright at club level and clearly remains ahead of Nigel Martyn and David James at international level.

Both played one half each in the 1-1 draw with South Korea, but Eriksson now considers it important to get Seaman into World Cup mode against Cameroon on Sunday. He's appeared in only one of England's last six matches, though he played in seven of the eight World Cup qualifying ties.

He could, of course, face his Arsenal team-mate Lauren on Sunday. Wenger used Lauren at right-back last season but he established himself in the Cameroon team in midfield. The latest injury to Danny Murphy restricts even further any chance Eriksson has on Sunday of fine-tuning his preferred team for the opening game against the Swedes.

The midfield has become an accident and emergency centre for the unlucky Eriksson, who now has Murphy receiving treatment along with Beckham, Nicky Butt and Kieron Dyer and, of course, the return home of Trevor Sinclair has compounded matters.

At best, Dyer is unlikely to be ready before the second game against Argentina though Eriksson gives the impression that both Beckham and Butt are making good progress, although he admitted Beckham has yet to kick a ball with his injured foot. "David hasn't done that yet and I don't think he should anyway," Eriksson said. "He should wait for that, there is no rush. The doctors, physios and masseurs are all very positive he can be fit for the Sweden game, so we will just have to wait and see.

"I would be very happy if Beckham and Butt could have 20 minutes against Cameroon. We have to wait until Saturday to know. They're unlikely to start against Cameroon but there is a little chance that they could come on at some stage in the game.

"We have to be very sure what we are doing if we decide to let David on the pitch. We have time on our side though."