Football: Mark Lawrenson column: Mark Lawrenson.

Byline: Mark Lawrenson 

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON is in danger of dropping a tactical clanger in his most important match since taking charge of England.

It seems inevitable that the normally shrewd Swede will use Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler as the strike force to start against Greece at Old Trafford.

However, that would seem to me an unprecedented mistake by Eriksson, who should instead use golden oldie Teddy Sheringham to partner Fowler to ensure England's victory and automatic qualification.

This whole dilemma only arises because of the injury to Michael Owen but unfortunately his absence also takes away the threat of Heskey, who should not start against the Greeks.

Heskey has done very well for England in recent matches and it would seem cruel to drop a player who was one of the heroes of England's magnificent 5-1 victory in Germany last month.

But in a game of this magnitude where England simply have to win to ensure qualification I'm not convinced that Heskey would be the right choice.

It's a great shame that Owen is not playing because he would have Greece's Newcastle defender Nikos Dabizas for dinner. And Heskey has proved on many occasions to be the perfect foil for his Liverpool and England team-mate.

But the Greek defence is all about physical power and I fear that Dabizas will be able to cope with Heskey when England are crying out for more pace and, in particular, invention.

That is why Sheringham should start. Tottenham striker Sheringham is in such great form and is a real thinking footballer.

Sheringham can sit deep, be hard to pick up, and even allow Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes and David Beckham to burst forward and make threatening runs. The Greeks will sit back, play very deep and that will leave England with a worrying lack of options if they were to start with Heskey and Fowler.

It is bound to be a tight match but Sheringham can annoy the Greek defence by sitting deep, having the brains to change the play when necessary and also set up chances for team-mates.

Greece would far rather play against Heskey than Sheringham and what worries me is that the longer the game remains goalless the more frustrated England will become.

Fowler is undoubtedly a must for Eriksson because he is England's most natural finisher, but he will also rely on receiving the right service, which Sheringham is the right man to supply.

Greece do not travel well and it will be rather like a Premiership team facing a First Division club at Old Trafford. Former Leicester midfielder Theo Zagorakis is their captain and yet could not hold down a regular Premiership place, which says a lot about their ability. I believe that England will win but it will be tight and I just hope that England will have enough patience if the score is still goalless after an hour.

One player in particular, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, would love to have a great game after attracting the wrong sort of headlines following his drink in the early hours of Tuesday.

But I don't think it will have an adverse effect on him at all, apart from the fact that at the end he would love a "well done" and pat on the back from Eriksson.

I have to confess that I have taken the drinking revelations with a pinch of salt as Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman do not appear to have been drunk and if anything their antics might just have relieved the boredom and provided a few jokes for the rest of the squad this week.

Finally, England's other enforced switch due to the injury to Sol Campbell will only be good news for Eriksson, who will bring back Martin Keown in his place.

Campbell is just not playing well, he seems to be struggling with form and fitness and Keown deserves a place on merit.

Keown can help England complete the final furlong which is bound to be the longest and most nervous furlong of all.

Interview: JOHN CROSS

CAPTION(S):

WRONG MAN? Emile Heskey may not be the best partner for Robbie Fowler