Dark shadow over Sven

The decision to drop Rio Ferdinand from the England squad will raise fresh questions over Sven-Goran Eriksson's future.

The Swede has seen his preparations for the crucial Euro 2004 qualifer in Turkey devastated by the Manchester United star's failure to take a drugs test.

Standard Sport understands Eriksson has confided to close associates that he wanted to play Ferdinand in Istanbul and deal with the drug issue after the game, but he was overruled by the Football Association hierarchy. He is said to be "deeply disappointed" by the decision.

The England coach has been consistently linked with Chelsea and has already dropped many hints that he may quit the national team after the European Championships and return to club football.

The Ferdinand furore looks certain to be another major issue weighing on his mind when he comes to make that decision.

It is also not the first time Eriksson has felt the set-up of the domestic game has worked against the national team. The Swede feels that injuries and tiredness caused by a long Premiership season were a major factor in England's disappointing exit at the quarterfinal stage at last year's World Cup.