Eriksson 'listening' to Benitez's concerns

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson understands Rafael Benitez's concerns about keeping Steven Gerrard's involvement in tomorrow's friendly against Uruguay to a minimum.

The Liverpool boss had asked for his star midfielder and captain to be rested for the game at Anfield - and although Gerrard looks set to be named in Eriksson's starting XI, the Swede is optimistic he will not need him for the full 90 minutes.

'What Benitez wants to see is Gerrard fit at the end of May - who knows, Liverpool may have another Champions League final,' Eriksson told Sky Sports News.

'I have to listen to club managers; he said that because he is worried Steven Gerrard had too many games in one year. I hope he will play 45 minutes.'

Eriksson believes everyone will be looking to impress in England's final friendly before the World Cup warm-up programme begins in earnest.

'Everybody wants to be in the squad and in the team. They know this is the last chance when we are together, and that's very good. You can feel the World Cup is close. They feel it and look forward to it.'

Eriksson was very upbeat about England's chances in Germany.

Asked if reaching the semi-finals was a minimum target, he replied: 'I really hope so. I am sure we have a better squad and a better team.

'If things are good from an injuries and fitness point of view in May I am sure we will do better than we did in Portugal and Japan.

'The team is stronger and technically better and much more experienced. I have a confident team, much more confident than four years ago. They know they can beat any team.'

Eriksson and the other World Cup coaches have to name their final squads on May 15, but the Swede is hopeful that the date will be put back.

'I know a lot of other managers are not happy with the date,' he added. 'It's too early and we will be bringing it up with FIFA when we have a coaches' workshop. I'm confident it will be changed.'

Eriksson knows the make-up of almost all of his 23-man squad, providing selection is not complicated by injuries.

'If all the players are fit and in good form then maybe it's difficult to choose the last two or three players,' he said.

'But I want to see the likes of Michael Owen, Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate, Kieron Dyer and Ashley Cole back playing for their clubs on a regular basis.'

On Cole's injury setback, Eriksson said: 'I'm told it's not the same injury as before but I haven't been able to check it out yet. But I can say that we will wait a long time to rule him out because he is one of the best defenders in the world today.'

England have two World Cup warm-up matches closer to the finals - against Jamaica and Hungary at Old Trafford on May 30 and June 3 respectively - and Eriksson added: 'For the first 11 that is enough. They don't need any more games. But maybe for those outside the first 11 we could organise another game.'