Lampard made it into Eriksson's squad of 23 on Monday and is becoming a rival to Nicky Butt for a place in midfield alongside Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and captain David Beckham.

"He's knocking extremely hard on the door," Eriksson told reporters. "He's had a fantastic season and played more or less all the (Chelsea) games."

As for England, Eriksson said: "In midfield, players like Beckham, Scholes and Gerrard should be there... then we'll see.

"Let's see when we start working who's in the best shape, who's on the best form and how we organise the midfield."

Eriksson said Lampard could play anywhere in the middle. Asked if that included the base of England's diamond-shaped midfield, the role currently occupied by Butt, the Swede said: "I'm sure he can."

Although Butt has more experience in internationals and at club level with Manchester United, Eriksson pointed to Lampard's past year with Chelsea and their run to the Champions League semi-finals.

"The experience Frank Lampard has had this season has been fantastic," Eriksson said.

"He's not been to a World Cup or a European championship but they (Chelsea) almost went all the way in the Champions League and that gives him a lot of experience of course.

"He's a goalscorer as well."

Eriksson gets the chance to try Lampard out in two friendlies in Manchester on June 1 against Japan and June 5 against Iceland.

The squad then heads to Portugal, where England meet holders France in their first Group B match before facing Switzerland and Croatia.

The key to England's chances of making progress will be avoiding defeat in the opener against the 1998 world champions.

Pointing to his throat, Eriksson said: "Then you would play with a knife here for the last two games in the group.

"It's important not to lose, but we're not going to go out against France and only defend. We're going to try to attack and score goals."

Meanwhile, Eriksson named defenders Ledley King and Jamie Carragher in his Euro 2004 squad.

King and Carragher were handed their chances after Eriksson's back-up options for central defenders Sol Campbell and John Terry were limited by suspension and injuries.

"I am happy with the overall balance of the squad," said Eriksson.

"It is still a young squad," Eriksson said. "Those who were in Japan two years ago are more experienced and they should be better."

The Swede must submit his official squad for Euro 2004 by June 2.