Cole and Murphy are in the spotlight

Chelsea's Joe Cole and Danny Murphy of Liverpool could come into contention as England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson debated today whether to risk David Beckham and Steven Gerrard against Liechtenstein.

With Nicky Butt ruled out through injury, Eriksson could also decide not to gamble with Beckham and Gerrard, who, together with Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand, are on one yellow card.

Ferdinand is already out of tomorrow's Euro 2004 qualifier at Old Trafford through illness, but Eriksson knows that a booking for any of the other trio will mean they are suspended for next month's tie in Turkey.

Should Eriksson decide not to take the risk, his midfield options are limited. Owen Hargreaves could replace Butt as the holding player, with Kieron Dyer on the right, Cole on the left and Frank Lampard in the centre.

Murphy and Joe Cole are other alternatives if Eriksson shuffles his pack, while Lampard's Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge is also likely to get his chance at left-back, with Arsenal's Ashley Cole rested or on the left of midfield.

Gerrard echoed the feeling of caution within the England camp when he said: "I have talked to the manager and he said: 'I'm not too sure if I'm going to play you but if I do, I want you to be very careful'.