ENGLAND coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has refused to comment on learning that Saints pair Wayne Bridge and James Beattie played in the friendly against Aberdeen on Tuesday.
Tabloid reports today suggested Eriksson was furious when he was told the duo had played 45 minutes at Pittodrie in a match which was part of the Scottish club's centenary celebrations.
Beattie scored Saints' consolation goal in their 2-1 Friendship Cup defeat.
Eriksson had given Bridge and Beattie special dispensation to miss this week's trip to South Africa - England face the host country in a friendly tonight - after playing in the FA Cup final.
Instead they were told to join up with the squad this weekend ahead of the friendly with Serbia and Montenegro at Leicester on June 3 and the Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia at The Riverside Stadium on June 11.
The reports suggested that had Eriksson known the two players would be appearing against Aberdeen, even for just one half, he would have insisted on them travelling to South Africa.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article