England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson fears that unless Arsenal's Sol Campbell and Real Madrid's Jonathan Woodgate get regular football, they will be marginal choices for the England squad in Germany, leaving the door open for Liverpool's on-form centre-back Jamie Carragher to stake his claim for a place in the starting eleven.

Sven knows that certain England players are unlikely to be fit in time for the World Cup Finals, and has stated that “the door is open” for fringe players to earn a place at this summer's tournament.

With injuries to Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, who has missed most of the season, and the problems that fellow Gunners defender Sol Campbell has had since returning from injury, plus the recent injury to Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate, Sven may have to look to other players to fill the England defence for the World Cup Finals.

Liverpool's Jamie Carragher must feel that he is in-line for a call-up from Eriksson for England's first-team at the World Cup Finals.

The Reds centre-back has been on stunning form this season for Liverpool, and would be the perfect replacement for either Arsenal's Sol Campbell or Real Madrid's Jonathan Woodgate should they not be chosen.

"Once you've chosen your 23 for the World Cup you can't change it once the tournament starts," said Eriksson.

"You can't gamble. You have to be quite sure that they are fit, of course. Otherwise you might end up with a big problem."

But the England Coach has faith in Campbell, and is hoping that the England veteran will be match-fit in time for the warm-up matches scheduled for May.

"I talked to Sol Campbell and he wants to be at the World Cup, that's for sure," said Eriksson.

"I'm very happy about that because a fit Sol Campbell is always good to have on your side.

"He's a rock when he's physically fit and I think he will do everything to be ready for the World Cup - it might be his last."

But the England Coach added: "He must start to play sooner or later for Arsenal, otherwise I can't pick him. And it's the same with Jonathan Woodgate, I want to see him play regular football."

Asked if he would take any risks by picking Campbell or Woodgate for the tournament, he said: "If they play one game, and then not the other it's very difficult."

The injuries to Newcastle United striker Michael Owen, who should be fully fit for the Finals, and to midfielder's Kieron Dyer and Manchester United’s Alan Smith, who should return to fitness in six months, have also depleted Sven’s choices for the friendly international against Uruguay on Wednesday.

Sven will name his squad for the World Cup warm-up this weekend and we at worldcuplatest.com will publish the squad as soon as it is named.

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