Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to protect Sol Campbell from further disciplinary trouble by resting him in tonight's Euro 2004 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Eriksson will still pick David Beckham and Steven Gerrard even though they, like Campbell, are just one booking away from being suspended for the final group game in Turkey.

However, while Matthew Upson is set to partner John Terry in central defence, left-back Ashley Cole is expected to be dropped to make way for Wayne Bridge.

The England coach is also poised to select James Beattie up front for his first competitive start, with Wayne Rooney in the hole and Emile Heskey omitted from the proposed starting XI in training yesterday afternoon.

Barring any overnight U-turns, it all adds up to four potential changes from the line-up which defeated Macedonia last weekend, with Nicky Butt injured and Owen Hargreaves also missing out.

Eriksson agreed he would feel rather foolish if either Beckham, Campbell or Gerrard - three of his central figures - were suspended from the game in Istanbul.

However, he is caught in something of a dilemma as he cannot risk failing to beat Liechtenstein, admitting that ''if I don't pick them and we don't win the game, you will cut off my head!''

He will therefore place his trust in Beckham and Gerrard to avoid another booking, but Campbell is seen as more likely to be cautioned for a tackle that he is forced to make as the last defender.

The Arsenal centre-back, who missed the final four games of last season through suspension, has already been banned for one Premiership match for a red card against Everton.

He is soon to face a Football Association disciplinary hearing into his retaliation against Eric Djemba-Djemba in the Community Shield, and was then booked against Macedonia last Saturday.

''I think that was very harsh of the referee but sometimes, if you're a defender, it's easier to take a yellow card,'' observed Eriksson, who will still select Campbell on the bench, just in case.

''If you're a midfielder, then it's not such a dangerous situation so it's more stupid to make a tackle from behind. As for things like talking to the referee and kicking away the ball, you could control them if you are very professional.''

Beckham has revealed that there is a certain 'risk' element in picking him and Gerrard but he has promised the England coach he will not retaliate against any provocation.

''We have talked about it a lot whether to play them and I have spoken to them about it,'' added Eriksson, who saw his captain twist his ankle in training but then recover to carry on playing.

''I have to be careful but they must be even more careful on the pitch and not earn a stupid yellow card.'' There are many observers who will argue, with some justification, that England should be able to overcome the part-timers of Liechtenstein with their 'B' side.

Eriksson nevertheless offered an insight into his dilemma as he insisted: ''If I was to play one, two or three of these players, you will always be concerned but it's not easy.

''It's the national team playing, we need the three points desperately. You can always talk about Turkey but the most important game is the one coming up."

It was, after all, an element of over-confidence which undermined England against Macedonia at home last October and another draw would leave them needing to win their final group game in Istanbul. England's task in such a high-pressure game would be magnified without, especially, Beckham, and Eriksson admitted he ''should feel much safer to have him with us in Turkey''.

However, he is confident that the England captain will be able to control his temperament at Old Trafford. ''If he's booked, then he would miss the game against Turkey, which would be very, very bad. I know he has three but I'm sure that the players will not take a yellow card,'' he stressed.