INTERVIEW
Tuesday, October 5, 1:30pm London Time
Wise and Lampard play the waiting game
Events in Stockholm on Saturday will dictate the immediate international futures of Dennis Wise and Frank Lampard jnr.
A win for Sweden over Poland and Chelsea's Wise will be a contender for England's game against Belgium on Sunday and, because of David Batty's suspension, the European Championship play-offs to follow.
However, if Poland are successful in reaching the play-offs - a draw is all they need - coach Kevin Keegan's thoughts must turn to giving the potential England stars of the future priority ahead of the over-30s.
That means West Ham's Lampard should collect his first senior cap the following day.
Both players deserve to be in the squad although they are different types and have different strengths.
The 32-year-old Wise has 12 caps but has never been able to claim a regular place.
Graham Taylor gave him his debut against Turkey in Izmir in May 1991 and he captured the headlines by scoring the winner.
He made the last of his appearances in May 1996 when Terry Venables was in charge and was unlucky to be left out of the final Euro '96 squad.
The fascinating aspect of Wise's career is his transformation as a player. He started at Southampton as a trainee and played on the wing after his move to Wimbledon. It was in that position he initially played for Chelsea when joining them in the summer of 1990.
The fact that he was equally happy on the right or left flank made him a useful utility player. He also adapted to this role during his internationals. He was comfortable striking the ball with either foot, a rarity in the England team these days, and was a good crosser of the ball too.
If there was a drawback it was his reluctance to take on defenders down the line. He tended to come inside and deliver his crosses from a deep angle.
I highlight that fact only because I heard Keegan mention that he had the option of playing Wise out wide.
It is a possibility but if England are to play to his strengths, he needs to be selected in the centre of midfield. That is where he is most effective and the role that he usually plays for Chelsea.
His strength is his excellent touch and skillful passing. Even in the tightest of situations he has developed an ability to keep possession of the ball which is something not many English midfielders have done recently.
His fiery temperament has caused him unnecessary grief and he was not exactly an innocent party in Nicky Butt's sending-off at the weekend.
But Wise's vision and weight of pass would ensure a much better service to the strikers and his willingness to offer himself as a constant recipient from defence would also help with the distribution from that department.
Lampard offers something completely different and has been tipped by Keegan as a future England captain, having served his apprenticeship in the Under-21s.
Frank's father also had leadership qualities as a player and for many seasons was vice-captain to Billy Bonds at West Ham.
Frank jnr went to the same school as my son, Warren, at Brentwood in Essex. He was a bright, level-headed youngster who successfully combined both his academic work (10 GCSEs) with his football.
Always confident and ambitious he has taken each step of his progress comfortably in his stride. So I do not believe he will 'freeze' on the big occasion if he does get his chance against Belgium.
This season he has caught the eye because his attacking opportunities have grown since the departure of Eyal Berkovic to Celtic in the summer.
The Israeli international used to have a free role behind the two strikers and that tended to restrict Lampard, who was inclined to help Steve Lomas with defensive duties.
John Moncur is back in the team, so releasing Lampard to go further forward.
He possesses an explosive shot and is dangerous from any set piece within range of goal. There is no doubt he favours his right foot but he can take a chance with his left.
Fitness is not a problem for him because he has the stamina to keep going for 90 minutes. Like myself, he does not possess a noticeable change of pace, but then speed of thought can often compensate for that.
You can class him as a good all-round mid-field player because he can tackle well although it is his passing skills which England will be looking to.
They desperately need some flair from that section of the side. Wise or Lampard should get the chance to press their case, but it will be the Swedish influence which makes the final choice.