Seaman still Kev's Number 1!!!!!

Nigel Martyn will not play in Euro 2000 unless David Seaman is injured. That’s the
message from Kevin Keegan who says Martyn has done everything possible to win a
starting-place. Keegan said: "I don't think that Nigel could be any closer to David.
There is very little to choose between them.

"Nigel underlined that with his performance against Ukraine, he was tremendous but
nothing has changed and David remains my number one." He added.

"I'm very fortunate to have two keepers of that quality, they are both world class. Says
Keegan, who finds himself in the same position as Ron Greenwood twenty years ago.

However, Keegan will not be rotating them as Greenwood did Ray Clemence and Peter
Shilton. Keegan said: "That would not help either of them, it's not the answer for me."

The coach's faith in Seaman is not shared by all. Some observers would prefer to see
Martyn in goal for England's opening Euro 2000 game against Portugal, rather than
Seaman, who was partly to blame for Brazil's equaliser last Saturday.

However Keegan has not changed his view that Seaman is England's undisputed number one.

The England coach has nevertheless attempted to give not only Martyn but also Ipswich keeper Richard Wright
some added experience ahead of the tournament. Wright will not only make his debut against Malta but will stay
in goal for the entire game. Keegan added: "He is ready for it but it's been hard finding games even for Nigel to
play in."

Meanwhile Keegan revealed that his only minor injury concern was a "slight twinge" to Steven Gerrard's Achilles
that was likely to rule him out of Saturday's friendly in Malta.

Keegan also extolled Nick Barmby's display against Ukraine as a substitute and the Everton midfielder is clearly
forcing the England coach to reassess his options on his return to the squad after a lengthy absence, even if he
may not manage to make it into the Euro 2000 starting line-up. The coach continued: "I doubt whether anyone has
come on and made such an impact as a substitute as he did."

"He picked up the pace of the game, never gave the ball away and put through three outstanding passes for others
to run on to." He added.

Keegan is likely to confirm tomorrow whether Barmby, as well as Gareth Barry, who impressed on his debut
against Ukraine, will get a further chance to make their mark against the Maltesers.