Eriksson backs Fowler

Eriksson: staying in the background of Fowler affair

England v Holland
White Hart Lane - Wednesday 2000 BST

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has refused to become embroiled in the row between Robbie Fowler and Liverpool.

Fowler's Anfield future has come under doubt since he was left out of the Liverpool side which defeated Manchester United in the Charity Shield pre-season curtain-raiser last Sunday.

But Eriksson remains confident in the quality of his England striker.

It is not correct to say that I have recommended Fowler to a couple of Italian clubs

  Sven Goran Eriksson

"I do not think that Robbie Fowler has anything to prove," said Eriksson.

"We all know what kind of player he is and whatever is happening with his club cannot interfere with his England job.

"I did not ask him what happened. I am not interested and it is not for me to ask.... that is up to his club manager.

"In one way, this is like a new, or different, club for him."

He added: "If a player never played for their club, that would be a concern.

"But I'm sure Robbie Fowler will play a lot of games for Liverpool and I'm not worried about that.

The Swede also denied that he had alerted Italian clubs Inter Milan and Lazio about Fowler should he become available.

Eriksson stated: "It is not correct to say that I have recommended Fowler to a couple of Italian clubs.

"I should be very ashamed if I did something like that.

"In my job as England manager, it does not matter where a player plays as long as it is a good club and I would never suggest that one of my players goes to another club.

"No Italian club has phoned me about Robbie."