Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann yesterday suffered the heartbreak of having to withdraw from the England squad

He returned to the North-East when it became clear a knee problem would rob him of the chance of a second cap following his debut in the friendly against Spain.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said: ''We decided he should go back to Sunderland. He's had a problem with his knee. He had an operation on his cruciate ligament last year and he was worried about that.

''I can understand that so we thought it was better that he left us and went back to Sunderland.''

Eriksson will anxiously await the alarm call which will waken key midfielder Steven Gerrard this morning before finalising his team to face Finland in the World Cup qualifier at Anfield.

Gerrard's fitness level, which is linked to his back problem, has see-sawed since he joined up with the England squad this week.

He was unable to train on Tuesday, declared himself fully fit on Wednesday, was suffering from a stiff back on Thursday and yesterday took part in a full session with his team-mates.

Eriksson was more upbeat about the 20-year-old being fit to win only his third cap. But he is also aware that Gerrard could just as easily wake up unable to face the Finns.

Eriksson will demand that his midfielder is completely honest in diagnosing his level of fitness.

Eriksson said: ''He did almost everything in practice and did well. If he does not have a reaction before the game, he will be fit.

''On Thursday we were a little bit worried. Now I feel very positive about him but with these kinds of injuries you never know.

''Let's hope he is fit. It was important that he could practice because taking treatment and not working for a week then going straight into a game is not ideal.

''I hope he is very honest when he tells me how he is feeling. It is too important a match to have him available to play maybe 30 minutes.''

Gerrard's injury is already casting major doubts over whether he will be fit enough to fly on Monday to Albania for Wednesday's second qualifier in the space of five days.

Eriksson said: ''I think we will have to make a decision during Sunday but let's leave that problem until after Finland.''

''It would have been better if I had known about Steven's condition today but I am not going to have a sleepless night because of that and we have other solutions.''

Eriksson is backing Andy Cole to finally end his England goal drought.

Cole had claimed Eriksson was the first coach to fully support him at international level and that others had ''spoken a lot of rubbish''.

The Manchester United striker was adamant that he would deliver the goals for his country if he was given the chance to settle into international football after winning just 11 caps spanning six years.

Now Eriksson has given a public show of that belief in Cole by claiming he can end his barren run against the Finns.

''Andy Cole ought to be a very experienced player with playing in the Champions League every second week,'' said the coach.

''He is scoring at the highest level for Manchester United, so why shouldn't he do it for the national team? There is always a first time in life for things. This for Andy might be the time.

''I don't think he is a nervous player who finds wearing the shirt of England too heavy a burden on his shoulders."