Eriksson set lose McClaren's help

Sven Goran Eriksson is set to see his England coaching team broken up by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

United are not keen to extend the contract of assistant coach Steve McClaren who has been working alongside Eriksson for the past two months with Peter Taylor and Tord Grip.

His contract ended on Wednesday with the 2002 World Cup qualifying win over Albania in Tirana and Eriksson is now preparing to reorganise his support staff after three straight wins in charge of the England team.

McLaren has been absent from United training sessions several times due to his work with the national team forcing Sir Alex Ferguson to take charge of training.

Ferguson rates the former Derby County assistant coach very highly and considers him a contender to be United manager when he retires next year.

McClaren's absence at the end of January and start of February was partially blamed for a dip in United's form and goal scoring problems for the Premiership leaders who play at Anfield against Liverpool tomorrow morning.

Ferguson is keen to keep McClaren in position at United and the end of his duties with England on the current contract gives United the chance to steer their man away from national team work.

FIFA have confirmed that Albania face disciplinary action after England left back Ashley Cole was struck by a missile - thought o be a lipstick holder - during the World Cup qualifier in Tirana.

Cole was struck in the face while celebrating Andy Cole's goal in the final minute of injury time.

FIFA communications director Keith Cooper said today:

"The incident was mentioned in the reports of both the commissioner match observer and the referee. We will now investigate the matter further."

FIFA's disciplinary board sits on April 26th and Albania are facing a fine over the incident with several missiles including bottles being thrown at England players at the end of the match.