Brooking to lead talks on new selection policy

Sven-Goran Eriksson will remain on the sidelines on Monday when Trevor Brooking begins talks with Gary Neville in an attempt to establish a new Football Association policy on international selection.

Brooking, the FA's newly-installed director of football development, has already discussed his ideas with the England coach, who has expressed some sympathy with the view of his players in recent selection controversies.

Relations between the FA and England players have been at an all-time low since the omissions from the senior squad of Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, for missing a drugs test, and Leeds United's Alan Smith. In a bid to avoid a repeat of those controversies, Brooking will head a FA delegation that will include executive director David Davies and Brendon Batson, project manager for the FA's review processes. The meeting is due to take place in Manchester.

Neville, probably the most outspoken critic of the FA, will represent the players, though it is still unclear whether his former Manchester United team-mate David Beckham, the England captain, will fly from Madrid for the discussions.

Brooking, winner of 47 England caps, wants to be sure that Eriksson's men have a full say in his review of the selection procedure. "We are looking to establish a clear policy on international selection," said a spokesman for the FA. "The manager and players will, of course, be fully involved in the consultation process.

"It's our intention to have this policy in place ahead of England's next match in Portugal, on February 18."

The FA plan to consult four former England captains as they attempt to heal the rift with the players.

Bryan Robson, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and David Platt will be asked for their advice on the new disciplinary code. Talks with the quartet will supplement Monday's meeting to resolve the criteria for international selection.