Central station key to success for Sven

They are two of the most experienced Premiership defenders available to Eriksson and will be playing together for the first time since the goalless draw in Finland in October 2000 when Howard Wilkinson briefly took charge following the sudden departure of Kevin Keegan.

The fact that England have conceded six goals in their last four matches is of some concern to Eriksson but the Campbell-Ferdinand partnership figured in only one of those games - the 1-1 draw in Holland in February.

When available, Eriksson has always chosen the two centrebacks, from Arsenal and Leeds respectively, for England's important games. They played in the 5-1 win over Germany, although they looked like a couple of novices in the opening 20 minutes.

Eriksson has used five centrebacks in his 12 games in charge - - Ferdinand, who has played in 10 of the games, Campbell (seven), Keown (four), Southgate (two) and Wes Brown (one). Campbell and Ferdinand have started six of them together - - that's five wins and the draw in Amsterdam.

"I think it's vitally important to get the centre-back partnership right," said former England centrehalf Terry Butcher. "It's more important than the captaincy issue for me. I was captain and it's a great honour but in real terms it doesn't effect what happens on the pitch.

"Campbell and Ferdinand are probably the best two centre-halves and I say that because they have played together more than any other partnership. I think they give us about as much as we can hope for from any of the available combinations.

"But Eriksson has been unlucky with injuries and Sol's problem with his hamstring might open the door for another player and if it does it should be Southgate. He might not be as physically dominant as the other two but he's vastly experienced and a very intelligent defender.

"Against strikers like Larsson, of Sweden, and Crespo and Ortega, of Argentina, we might need a defender who can read the game and intercept well. Southgate is in that category for me."

Although recent statistics support a Campbell-Ferdinand combination, Southgate provides an organisational ability that is essential at the highest level of the game. Individually, Ferdinand and Campbell are outstanding defenders, but I think they may be exposed as a pair in the World Cup.

Keown, of course, also comes into the equation and having recovered from the injury that kept him sidelined for two months, is now eager to restake his World Cup claim. "England should have four centre-backs in their squad and Martin should be one of them," said Butcher. "He's the best man marker in the Premiership. You can sense that the opposition strikers don't enjoy it when he's around."

"The first job for the centre-backs is to stop the opposition scoring. Everything else is a bonus. You have to have defenders who snuff out the opposition and give you a base from which to progress.

"I noticed how successfully the two Italian centre-backs defended against us at Leeds. They rarely moved forward from their defensive positions. I thought they were outstanding.

"The important thing is that they compliment each other. I played with a lot of centre-backs but one of the most successful partnerships was with Des Walker. He was comfortable on the right side and quick enough to nip in front of strikers and win possession. I wasn't so quick but I was comfortable on the left side, could win the high balls and could pass well."

With the England squad due to be announced on 7 May, both Keown and Southgate will try to convince Eriksson tonight that they have a part to play in England's ideal centre-back partnership.

"I think there's a lot still to be decided," said Butcher. "We have to hope that once the season ends, Eriksson uses the time available to work behind the scenes and bed down a team and a system. At this moment in time, I'm not overly optimistic about our chances."

England v Paraguay
8pm, tonight, Anfield (Live on Sky Sports 2)