Eriksson: Kirkland won't play

"I might have given Kirkland his debut if I could change 11 players but I can only change six," said the England coach.

"That will make it difficult to change the goalkeeper but if Kirkland carries on playing for Liverpool and stays fit then sooner or later he will help his country."

Kirkland's father, who has bet £1,000 at odds of 100-1 that one day his son would play for England, must now be hoping that Paul Robinson picks up an injury later tonight.