Premiership: I'm not protecting Campbell from boo-boys: Eriksson
Sven-Goran Eriksson denied that leaving Sol Campbell out of the England squad had anything to do with the atmosphere he might encounter in returning to White Hart Lane.
Following his controversial summer move to Arsenal, the centre-back could have expected an angry reception from Spurs fans in the crowd.
But Eriksson made it clear that fitness concerns over Campbell were the only reason for his exclusion.
The 26-year-old has not played a competitive match since the FA Cup semi-final in April but has gradually been making his way back in pre-season friendlies.
Eriksson explained: "I talked both to Sol and Arsene Wenger, and we all decided together that it would be better for him to work on getting himself fit at this time.
"He has been out of the game for four months and a player of his physical stature needs to be fully fit to play at his best. The fact that he is not 100 per cent fit at the moment is the only reason that he will not be playing."
Eriksson, who has also omitted Campbell's new Arsenal team-mate Ray Parlour, is keen to ensure that he does not take any risks with any player's fitness.
That is especially important as the friendly occurs before the start of the Premiership season, so he will therefore use virtually a different team in each half.
With Rio Ferdinand, who was having a fitness test on a hamstring strain today ahead of Leeds' friendly in Rotterdam, missing as well as Campbell, that restricts the England coach's central defensive options.
It should mean that Martin Keown, Gareth Southgate, Wes Brown and Ehiogu all feature against the Dutch in that role at some point in the game.
"Rio is not 100 per cent fit either. He is suffering from some muscle problems. I spoke to David O'Leary and we agreed that we should not risk him in such a game. He is a very important player both for us and for Leeds," explained Eriksson.
"I have also spoken to Steve McManaman. Real Madrid have started their pre-season training a little later than the others.
"He has played very few games at the moment so at this stage in his season, it is better that he stays with Real Madrid and works with them. I shall go and see him play soon."
He added: "I know all about David Seaman and what he is capable of. But for this friendly game I want to have a look at two of my other goalkeepers.
"So I talked to him and told him what I was going to do for this game, but he will be back for the match with Germany."
