England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed he will leave David Seaman to decide how long he continues playing at the top level as he restored him to the England side.

Eriksson had indicated earlier this week he would ask Seaman, who has just turned 39, whether he felt he could carry on until the Euro 2004 finals.

However, he subsequently realised it would be an unfair question and has therefore left the ball in the net of the Arsenal goalkeeper.

"I thought about it later and wondered what I should say to Seaman," said Eriksson. "It's not really my job to ask him how long he wants to play football.

"Maybe Arsene Wenger should do that so that he can plan for the future if they want to buy another goalkeeper.

"But as long as David Seaman plays football as he's doing for Arsenal then I'm happy. If he wants to finish after this game, that should be a pity. I just told him `what should I ask you?"'

Seaman returns for tonight's Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia after being rested for last month's friendly at home to Portugal when David James deputised.

Gary Neville is also back in the side after recovering from injury, while Jonathan Woodgate has been chosen to partner Gareth Southgate instead of his Middlesbrough team-mate Ugo Ehiogu.

Paul Scholes is being asked to fill the left-sided void, just as he did against Argentina at the World Cup before Owen Hargreaves' early injury forced achange of plan.

That means Emile Heskey moves back up front, where he is more comfortable, although the price is high - England lose the fiery attitude and zest of Alan Smith.