The squad for the match on Wednesday at Ipswich contains only three strikers. While Eriksson may well start with the usual pairing of Heskey and Owen, it is the perfect opportunity for Beattie to get another cap.
Beattie's predatory tap in on Saturday shows once again that there's a lot more to his game than the attributes of a traditional centre forward.
Goalkeepers: David James, Chris Kirkland, Paul Robinson.
Defenders: Wayne Bridge, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Danny Mills, Phil Neville, John Terry, Jonathan Woodgate.
Midfielders: David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Joe Cole, Kieron Dyer, Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, Frank Lampard, Danny Murphy, Paul Scholes, Trevor Sinclair.
Strikers: James Beattie, Emile Heskey, Michael Owen.
David Prutton was called up once again to the Under 21s. Prutton was on the bench for Saints on Saturday, and will be hoping to push for a regular place in the first team in 03/04. Where he will play is another matter. At Forest he was best in a holding midfield position, although he could play well on the right flank. However, Strachan likes to switch his flank players which would see Prutton having to cope with life on the left wing ! The signing of Neil McCann and the rumours of a possible deal to bring Javier De Pedro to the club next season may push Prutton back into the middle again.
Matt Murray - Wolves
Rhys Evans - Swindon Town
Lee Grant - Derby County
Glen Johnson - Chelsea
Stuart Parnaby - Middlesbrough
Peter Clarke - Everton
Tony Hibbert - Everton
Phil Jagielka - Sheffield United
Paul Konchesky - Charlton Athletic
Gareth Barry - Aston Villa
David Prutton - Southampton
Steven Sidwell - Reading
Jermaine Jenas - Newcastle United
Darren Ambrose - Newcastle United
Gary O'Neil - Portsmouth
Michael Tonge - Sheffield United
Jermaine Pennant - Arsenal
Jermain Defoe - West Ham United
Shola Ameobi - Newcastle United
Carlton Cole - Chelsea
Bobby Zamora - Tottenham Hotspur
Darren Bent - Ipswich Town
Dean Ashton - Crewe Alexandra
Francis Jeffers - Arsenal