Ridsdale shows support for England coach

Last updated : 07 September 2002 By Elland Roader
Lee Bowyer
One of five Leeds players in the squad.
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier spoke this week of "the burden" of international friendlies on players and Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson fielded Paul Scholes in their match against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night after he had withdrawn the midfielder from the England squad.

But, Ridsdale has praised Eriksson's flexible approach with England players and claimed some Premiership clubs have not been as helpful as they could have been to the England coach.

The Leeds chairman said: "You can't expect Sven to go into the European Championship qualifiers without having played a game.

"We would all be moaning if he didn't have a good start to the qualifying campaign.

"Regrettably, I do not think we have all played our part as well as we could have.

"I think that England this season have been very flexible.

Leeds have five players in the England squad for Saturday's friendly against Portugal at Villa Park on Saturday, more than any other club.