England are already in danger of lacking heart under SvenGoran Eriksson, but not in the defeatist sense. It is just that the new Swedish coach looks like losing five midfield players from his squad for tomorrow night's friendly against Spain at Villa Park.

Paul Scholes became the latest casualty when he awoke yesterday morning with an attack of gastroenteritis which will keep the Manchester United player out. "If he's not good today then I doubt if he'll be well enough for Wednesday," Eriksson observed gloomily.

Injuries have already forced the withdrawals of Steve McManaman, Kieron Dyer and Ray Parlour and although Michael Carrick reported for duty yesterday the West Ham man will return to his club today for treatment to a damaged hamstring.

With Liverpool's Steve Gerrard ruled out before the squad was picked this means that in spite of announcing a huge party of 31 on Friday Eriksson's options have been seriously curtailed in England's most problematic area.

"While we picked 31 names we are unlucky because the five who are unfit are all midfielders," Eriksson added. "It's always a pity when you lose players - and very, very good players for sure. We still have some young players of good quality and I'm sure they can do a good job."

If the England coach was depressed or deflated by such an early reminder of the frustrations of the job he kept it well hidden. Yet there is no escaping the fact that the loss of Dyer's speed, McManaman's Real Madrid experience and, in all probability, Scholes's all-round international qualities, will limit Eriksson's chances of learning anything valuable from tomorrow's match to take into the World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Albania a month from now.

All will be revealed tomorrow and Eriksson is clearly not a member of the nod-and-a-wink school of international coaches. "I think we are going to see some interesting things," was the only hint he was prepared to give yesterday. For what it is worth Eriksson will reveal the name of his captain today. And precisely what the job is worth will be gauged from his choice.