Peter Shilton has raised doubts over England goalkeeper David Seaman just days before Euro 2000 kicks off.

England's most capped goalkeeper believes that Seaman is the right man to start between the posts against Portugal on Monday but only on the basis of the Arsenal man's experience.

Shilton is concerned that Leeds United's Nigel Martyn is still relatively inexperienced at international level but admitted that a season of injuries had left Seaman below his best.

'David has had a few injuries and as you get older they are harder to get over, especially if you are not the hardest trainer,' said Shilton.

'David has made more mistakes this season than I have ever seen him make before. I guess we will find out if he's on top form once the tournament starts. That's where the proof is.

'I would still play him for his experience. Nigel Martyn looked sharp against Ukraine but there's a big difference between playing in a friendly and playing in a big tournament.

'David knows now that Nigel is there and it's up to him to respond. He knows he is playing for his place these days more than ever before.'

Shilton, 50, was capped 125 times during an England career spanning 19 years and only retired from first-class football three years ago, shortly after making his 1000th League appearance.

Yesterday, he was back in goal among the down-to-earth surroundings of London's Hackney Marshes as goalkeeper for the final of the McDonald's Euro 2000 national penalty shoot-out finals.

But his mind was not far away from the events to come in Holland and Belgium over the next three weeks and he fears Kevin Keegan's side is short of the creativity it will need to make it beyond the last four.

'I want England to win, I always do,' said Shilton. 'But judging them on their performances of the last couple of years it will be difficult.

'I think if we get to the semi-final we will have done well. We are capable of scoring goals but we don't look like scoring a lot of goals.'