England set to hand AJ his chance

"We will leave the final squad decisions until after all the games tomorrow. We will have a scout at Palace and it will be good to have another look at Johnson."

Palace's 23-year-old goalscorer has come to Eriksson's attention despite playing alone up front for most of the season in a side fighting for survival.

He scored 32 goals in the First Division last season and, under the guidance of manager Iain Dowie, has made the step up with aplomb.

Bedford-born Johnson is still improving and knows he faces stiff competition with Smith, Michael Owen, Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney becoming an established quartet of strikers in the England squad.

But he may also have the option of playing for Poland through family connections if his chance for England does not come.

Grip said: "We are aware of his potential Polish qualification but we have not thought about that. If he has a chance to play for England I am sure he will do that."

Should Johnson win his first cap against Holland it would not preclude him from playing for Poland because it is not a competitive game.

However, that sort of encouragement from the England head coach would almost certainly persuade him that his international future lies with the country of his birth.

Johnson has kept his options open but with Palace fighting against relegation he has abandoned thoughts of a call-up until after the Bolton game.

The striker said: "I'm level-headed and if it happens it is a bonus that I will dedicate to my team-mates. The England thing has not even been at the back of my mind. My main priority is staying in the Premiership.

"I will not be thinking about the squad announcement tomorrow, I will be thinking about Bolton."

For Palace fans, discussion of Johnson's potential elevation would probably be a pleasant distraction.

Despite encouraging performances on the pitch, there is unrest at the club off it with Dowie and chairman Simon Jordan falling out.

The manager is upset with the level of investment in the playing squad and at the club's training ground.

Direct communication with Jordan has almost stopped and elder brother Bob Dowie, Palace's director of football, has been acting as the go-between. Manager Dowie, referring-to his staff and players, said: "We remain a tight-knit unit and will not have any distractions from it. The difficulties that have gone on outside we will have to put aside.

"I have to make sure the lads are insulated from it and can concentrate on what we can control."

Palace tomorrow will be without Gonzalo Sorondo (suspension) and give late fitness tests to Danny Granville (back), and Darren Powell (hamstring). Aki Riihilahti (calf) should be available.

Defender Vincent Candela could be in the Bolton squad after signing on a short-term contract from Roma.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said: "It is too early for Candela to start as he is not in top match fitness but we may consider him on the bench."