Howard Wilkinson revealed his plan to call up striker Teddy Sheringham for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Finland after taking over as caretaker England boss following the resignation of Kevin Keegan.

Wilkinson, who was also called in on an emergency basis when Glenn Hoddle was ousted last year, certainly had a busy first day as he attempted to pull the shocked England squad together after the 1-0 defeat against Germany.

For Keegan's resignation was matched by two of his assistants, Peter Beardsley and Arthur Cox, from their posts.

Wilkinson immediately brought Stuart Pearce and Brian Kidd onto his coaching staff for what he insists will simply be a ''one-off'' mission over the next three days to revive the national team's qualifying chances.

However, he then learned that he had lost both David Beckham, who has a ''medial knee ligament injury'', and Steve Gerrard, who has a thigh problem, from his squad.

And with Graeme Le Saux, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes all doubtful due to injury, while Paul Ince's wife is imminently due to give birth, Wilkinson therefore made a move to summon Sheringham.

The 34-year-old striker last played for his country in June last year away to Bulgaria but he has certainly been in fine form so far this season, with five goals already for Manchester United.

Although Wilkinson was initially unable to make contact with Sir Alex Ferguson, the caretaker England coach was keen to ensure he had cover for Scholes, who can play behind a lone striker, in the squad.

Scholes received a kick on a foot against Germany and Ferguson had warned before the game that he had been suffering from an injury in that area for a couple of weeks so could be a doubt if he ''got another whack there.''

Fitness tests will take place today before the squad fly to Finland on Le Saux, who received a kick on his calf against Germany, and Neville, who has a ''slight toe problem.''

Sheringham's likely call-up revives memories of fellow veterans Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn being summoned by Wilkinson before the friendly against France in February 1999 as he looked to experience.

That was the former Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday manager's only previous game in charge of the England side and he has even less time this time around to rally the troops in whatever way possible.

Wilkinson described his shock at hearing the news of Keegan's resignation but said he was determined to pull the squad together in time for Wednesday night.

The FA technical director had been at Wembley for Saturday's game but had just returned to the England Under-21 team hotel when he was called by his assistant to be told that Keegan had quit live on television.

A series of phone calls with leading FA officials resulted in him driving to the senior team hotel last night and he was plunged straight into a hectic workload.

''I was shocked and saddened to hear that Kevin had resigned,'' he said at a hastily-arranged Press conference last night.

''I spoke to him on Saturday morning, on Friday morning and earlier in the week but there was absolutely no indication in his voice or anything he said to suggest that it Keegan's resignation was even a remote possibility.

''Kevin was brutally frank and honest when he said what he did. The players are shocked and surprised by what has happened but Wednesday night is as far as anyone is thinking at the moment.

''I have got only three days and two training sessions with the team. I have got to pick the team and give them a way of playing.''

Wilkinson described his last emergency summons by the FA as a call to ''international rescue,'' although it resulted in a 2-0 defeat by France.

A similar call has been made now, thanks to the mess which Keegan's knee-jerk resignation has left behind.

And although Wilkinson has little time in which to make any real impact, and will be without Beckham, England simply cannot afford another defeat in Finland