BECKHAM NAMED ENGLAND CAPTAIN
The Manchester United midfield star was, as expected, given the nod ahead of other candidates, such as Tottenham defender Sol Campbell, to lead the side out against Spain.
"It is the same captain as it was in the game against Italy," revealed Eriksson at a press conference. "It is David Beckham.
"I think it is a good idea and I don`t see any reason to change it.
"He did very well against Italy and can keep on doing it. I always thought like that but I wanted to see the players and see him first before announcing that. To be captain of a team and, in this case, an extremely important team, is important, for sure.
"First of all, he is a good player and can become a leader. It is not easy for me to talk about it. I saw Beckham for one and a half days, and to have certain opinions and be very sure about it is difficult.
"I am sure this will be very good. He did well in Italy, why should he not do it against Spain?
"We have not talked long-term but I hope it will be for a long time. We never talked about it and everything is new so we shall see. I do not want commitments for the next two two-three years. I am sure he was very happy.
"There are others who could do the job but he did it well last time."
And Beckham`s Old Trafford team-mate Paul Scholes presented the new coach with a lift when he turned up to late to link with the rest of the party, after suffering gastroenteritis.
"Scholes returned yesterday evening and I was very pleased about that," confirmed the Swede. "He wanted to be in and that is the right way to do it.
"Congratulations to him. It shows he wants to be here. He did everything well in practice this morning and, although he may not be 100 percent, if nothing more happens, he will play.
"I have the team fixed in my mind and will tell you tomorrow.
"We tried 4-4-2 in different ways in training. Very few will not player in their normal positions but I cannot give any more clues."
The eagerly-anticipated encounter takes place at Villa Park on Wednesday evening.
