Eriksson to check on Downing's progress in Rome
Sven-Goran Eriksson will be on familiar ground tonight as he jets to Rome on a second fact-finding trip of the day.
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Stewart Downing: In contention
It may not be advertised as such, given its importance to Boro's season, but the match could also be the platform on which Stewart Downing can make his claim for World Cup selection.
Eriksson bossed both Roma and Lazio, who each play in the Stadio Olimpico, before joining England in 2001.
He had a spell with Roma from 1984-87 and went on to win Serie A honours with Lazio in 2000.
Eriksson's concern now is England, though, and if he can learn from Boro's UEFA Cup last-16 tie then it will be a worthwhile journey.
Injury-plagued Downing has recently returned to full fitness but was not picked for the recent England friendly against Uruguay.
However, he is widely considered the best naturally left-footed winger available to the Swede.
Joe Cole has been a major success down the left for England, but Downing would provide a different option and, with places still up for grabs in the squad for Germany 2006, tonight could present a golden opportunity for the 21-year-old.
Meanwhile, FA chiefs insist they will be ``seriously disappointed'' if World Cup organisers this week reject Eriksson's bid to have the date of the final squad deadline delayed.
The England head coach has been gathering support from fellow national team coaches to ask FIFA to move the May 15 deadline closer to the start of the finals on June 9.
FIFA's World Cup organising committee meet in Zurich tomorrow where they will decide on the issue.
FA executive director David Davies said: ``We will be seriously disappointed if there is not some movement on that date. Any significant movement would be helpful.''
Eriksson met many of his fellow coaches at a World Cup workshop in Dusseldorf last week and was given unanimous backing.
The coaches have told FIFA they would like at least another week, and ideally two more weeks, before finalising their squads for the tournament.
Davies added: ``Sven is rightly perceived as one of the most senior international coaches and he has had approval from all his colleagues.
``The whole purpose of the four-week preparation period is to give all the coaches the best chance to bring their squads to the World Cup in the best condition.
``Quite understandably, the coaches want to make their judgements as late as possible.''
FIFA say the May 15 deadline was decided upon in order to ensure the players in the World Cup were given as much rest as possible.
The game's world governing body have ruled no competitive matches may be played after May 14, with the exception of the Champions League final on May 17, and no international friendlies played until May 21.
