ENGLAND boss Sven Goran Eriksson today gave his broadest hint yet that David Dunn still has time to book a ticket to next summer's World Cup.

Dunn was overlooked when Eriksson named his squad for Saturday's friendly with Sweden at Old Trafford.

But the England boss has reiterated he will keep an open mind about the players he will take to Japan and South Korea over the next few months as he weighs up his options.

"It's more than six months away so it's a little bit dangerous to say I'm going to pick that one or that one, a lot can happen in six months," said Eriksson.

"We see if all those young players around the country, in six months they can become ready.

"Then we have some players I have never picked, Woodgate Bowyer, Dyer but I've never had the chance to pick them.

"We see if they can become ready or not. But some players should be there if nothing special happens before today and the World Cup."

Dunn has caught the eye with some sparkling performances in the Premiership over the last four weeks.

And some critics have even suggested he could be the answer to England's problems on the left hand side of midfield.

However, when asked about that position, Eriksson explained his options.

"We have three players who may take that position who are not with us - Nick Barmby, Steve McManaman and Kieron Dyer. I don't know if Dyer can play there but in my head I think he might do it.

"With us we have Danny Murphy, Trevor Sinclair, Emile Heskey and maybe Darren Anderton. So it's a good battle."

England Under-21 coach David Platt is in no doubt, however, that his skipper Dunn has the right mental approach to be able to make the step up to senior level for his country.

Platt even feels that Dunn could slot into England's problem area on the left side of midfield after watching him in action in that role.

"Dunn is a genuine talent," said Platt. "What I see in David is an attitude that says 'I want to succeed' and that is very important.

"I think you can be a very good Premiership player but if you want to make that step up you have got to have that attitude of 'I'm good enough' - and you had better have that arrogance to say 'I'm good enough.'"

"Someone like Michael Owen is a prime example. He isn't arrogant in the sense that he's lost his head or anything like that. But he has full confidence in his ability and that's what you need as well.

"David is very attack-minded. You listen to what Graeme Souness at Blackburn says about him, that he has to become more of a team player, that he has to work on his defensive duties.

"But he has got this abundance of energy and wants to have a positive effect on the game.

"Someone like David might get an opportunity with the senior squad in the New Year if he keeps his form up - and then he has got to impress at that level.

"We are talking now not just about breaking into an England team but breaking into a very good and young England team.

"David has played in a number of positions. At Highbury he played just off the centre-forward and I've see him play on the left side of midfield.

"He could play that role (with England). He does it well. His natural position is central midfield but he doesn't baulk about it when he doesn't play there. He just gets on with things."