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Forget for a moment imploding standards in most of the Premiership - and

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Forget for a moment imploding standards in most of the Premiership - and defences often so compliant they lack only someone officially delegated to switch on the green light - men like Thierry Henry and Robert Pires have provided some of the most uplifting passages of play ever seen on a football field. Whatever time machine we happen to live in, there is surely no hardship in giving Ars? Wenger and his men their due. If they do go on to an undefeated season they will have made a piece of imperishable history. In some games, I think he should be very useful."The Swede is hoping for two meetings with France at the finals, believing that Jacques Santini's side, who face England in their first group game, are the "big favourites".As for his own future, having just signed a two-year contract extension until 2008, Eriksson insists that only a run of poor results would force him out of the post despite his recent talks with Chelsea."I think the only thing that would make me quit the job is if people want me out if we're losing too many football games," he said..

I still hope that he can be available but I'm not sure any more."Woodgate has played just three times for Eriksson, due initially to his international suspension following his court case and then due to a series of injury problems. However, he was in contention with John Terry to replace Rio Ferdinand, who has been ruled out through his ban, while Gareth Southgate is also facing a race against time to recover from a knee injury.Eriksson, who has a further worry over Sol Campbell's groin injury, is due to name his provisional 23-man squad for the tournament on 17 May, two days after the end of the Premiership season. That's in June and we are still in April."Eriksson admitted: "If he's not available for Portugal then it would be a big blow for us He's been playing very well recently. Sven Goran Eriksson admitted that losing Jonathan Woodgate from his Euro 2004 plans because of injury would be a "big blow" for England. However, he has not yet given up hope that both Woodgate and Gareth Southgate, who is also doubtful to play again before the end of the Barclaycard Premiership season, will recover in time for the tournament.Eriksson was dealt a third central defensive setback in just a few months when Woodgate pulled a thigh muscle in Newcastle's weekend victory against Chelsea.The Newcastle United manager, Sir Bobby Robson, said: "It is a three to four-week injury but it could be six Portugal? I am not saying he is out for that. Although Keane's involvement in the Irish squad may be short-lived, both O'Shea and Liam Miller - due to join United in the summer - are essential to his plans.

Both are likely to start against Poland.Kerr also lost the Charlton captain, Matt Holland, yesterday morning, as he has a back injury and the West Ham striker, David Connolly, withdrew with a knee complaintIt means that possibly 10 players from the original squad are out and Kerr has called up the Coventry pair, Graham Barrett and Michael Doyle plus Ireland's leading domestic striker, Shelbourne's Jason Byrne.. He had pledged to be conciliatory and on Sunday he was the first player to report to the team hotel in Portmarnock. Keane arrived with his United team-mate John O'Shea and the pair later headed to Lansdowne Road for Munster's Heineken Cup semi-final against Wasps. When he returned, Keane politely declined to speak to reporters.Kerr's compliance is undoubtedly also fuelled by the need to keep Ferguson reasonably happy. He is now due to make his 'debut' in next month's friendly in Dublin against Romania - fitness permitting - before playing against the Netherlands in Amsterdam the following week.Keane was acutely aware of the sensitivity of his return and was enthusiastic about the trip, even though it is the kind of game that is usually anathema to him.

"We have World Cup matches in September and October and Roy realises he needs to be part of the team and integrate himself into what is a changed team from the one he left in Japan."Although the injury is undoubtedly genuine, the withdrawal will again raise doubts over whether or not Keane's comeback will be lasting and what effect it will have on his future at Manchester United. "It was important for him to get out there with the lads [during training]," said Kerr of Keane's participation. From our viewpoint he has not played much in the last three weeks and it is an ongoing problem He trained well but the injury was clearly plaguing him. He still wanted to go but we said no on the basis that it was best for him to be treated at his club."Kerr's assistant, Chris Hughton, added: "He was very upset about it. He really wanted to make the trip."In his press conference prior to departure Kerr gave no hint that Roy Keane might withdraw but did say he would not push him into playing unless he was fit.

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