Owen is first of Sven's big dilemmas

The loyalty factor, upon which Sven-Goran Eriksson has built his relationship with several key England players, faces the ultimate test in the next few days.

Eriksson has been England coach for nearly four years but at no time during his 45-match reign has he faced the selection dilemma that will occupy his preparations for the World Cup qualifying ties against Wales and Azerbaijan.

The Swede is a man of habit who has shown loyalty to those who he feels deserve it. Into this category come senior players such as David Beckham, Michael Owen, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, sadly absent with injury from the squad named yesterday.

I would have included Manchester City's 34-year-old keeper David James among Sven's loyalists but, after playing in 20 of 21 matches, he was dropped for last month's game in Poland which England won 2-1.

Eriksson showed a rare ruthless streak on that occasion and some within the England camp feel he is bracing himself for similarly tough decisions before the match against Wales at Old Trafford on Saturday.

There are several important selection questions:

1. Which two of these three strikers play - Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney or Jermain Defoe?

2. Which two of these four centrebacks play - Sol Campbell, Ledley King, Rio Ferdinand or John Terry?

3. Which of these two keepers gets the vote - Paul Robinson or James?

4. Is Shaun Wright-Phillips a serious threat to David Beckham?

5. The one that never goes away - who plays on the left of midfield?

In the past Eriksson has always favoured his most experienced players for competitive matches. Those senior men returning from injury or suspension are invariably ushered straight back once available.

This would suggest that Owen will start against Wales despite the fact he's not considered good enough for an automatic place in Real Madrid's first team. He did start yesterday in the 1-0 defeat by Deportiva La Coruna but was substituted after 53 minutes complaining of a muscle strain. The demise of Emile Heskey and the withdrawal of Paul Scholes from international football means Owen is the only England goalscorer with significant experience. It would be a shock if he was omitted from either game, although his long-term future will clearly be jeopardised if he continues to be overlooked in Madrid.