Over the years, 26 players have represented England while at Saints.

Only six - Peter Shilton, Mick Channon, Terry Paine, Dave Watson, Mark Wright and Wayne Bridge - having won more than ten caps while at the club.

Will James Beattie ever become the magnificent seventh?

The whiff of an international bias against clubs like Saints was never more evident than the case of Matt Le Tissier, who only won eight caps despite his outrageous talent.

Yet the treatment of Le Tissier was more likely explained by the personal preferences (or prejudices) of Graham Taylor, Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle, rather than any conspiracy theory regarding Saints and England.

The same is probably the case with Eriksson and the decisions which lay behind his dropping of Beattie for Sunday's friendly with Denmark. Of his seemingly preferred quartet, Michael Owen picks himself, while Rooney, Vassell and Heskey have at different times done the business for England.

Eriksson also places pace at a premium for any player and, while he is no slouch, that is certainly not one of Beattie's major strengths.

Terry Paine, the man who holds the record for Saints appearances, was in the England 1966 World Cup squad and was playing in the second division at The Dell when he won his international debut.

He believes the end of his own international career under Sir Alf Ramsey had nothing to do with playing for Saints and is certain that is also the case with Beattie.

He said: "Ramsey was one of those who just didn't care how you performed for your club, but was only interested in how you performed for him. Perhaps Eriksson is the same.

"Vassell, for example, looks a different player in internationals and has looked sharp for England. He has got great pace, he can get in behind defences and turn them.

"That is not really James' game, he is more a leader of the line like Heskey.

"He has picked Scott Parker from Charlton so you can't really say he has anything against smaller clubs.

"He has his core of players that he will select and he just wants to fiddle around the edges a little bit and try some different combinations.

"Beattie is one of his fringe players and he hasn't totally made up his mind on him yet."

With Saints still in the top half and enjoying their best run of form for decades, there are also now few clubs which would be likely to tempt Beattie from St Mary's - even if there was interest in him.

Mega-offers from the likes of Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal seem unlikely, although Newcastle could eventually target him as a replacement for Alan Shearer.

But Beattie, pictured, has consistently stressed he is happy on the south coast and there seems little he can really do to further his England chances but continue to score.

Eriksson is clearly not yet convinced, but looking on the bright side Beattie does at least still have six months to change the Swede's mind. Another 20-plus Premiership goals this season for Saints and his case might just be impossible to ignore ...