England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said he still receives the full backing of his players following embarrassing allegations in Sunday’s News of the World.

Eriksson revealed private details of several members of his squad to an undercover reporter.

“I do not feel I have embarrassed the players,” said Eriksson at a Football Writers’ Association dinner on Sunday.

“It would have been better without the article, of course, but having spoken to them about it there is no problem.”

The England coach was reported to have discussed David Beckham, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Eriksson added: “I have spoken to almost all of them: Beckham, Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen.

“I did not contact Shaun-Wright Phillips because he was playing at Sunderland but I will do so.”

Eriksson denied his admission that Michael Owen was unhappy at Newcastle and only there for the money, would cause a problem for the striker.

But Eriksson said: “I do not think Michael Owen will have a problem with the Newcastle fans.”

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd replied: “We have spoken with the player and he has confirmed he is happy at Newcastle United.”

Eriksson is also said to have spoken about Rooney’s suspect temper, suggested Ferdinand is lazy and questioned the money Chelsea had paid for Wright-Phillips.

Eriksson is also said to have suggested England skipper David Beckham was keen to return to England after three seasons without any silverware at Real Madrid.

But Real Madrid coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro was quoted as saying: “I think Becks is a 12 out of 10 player and you can see that in his attitude on the pitch. I think he is committed to the club.”

And a Real Madrid spokesman said: “If an offer came in for David Beckham from any club, not just from England, it would be rejected.”

A Beckham spokesman said: “There’s no intention to return to England. David is focused on doing all he can for Real.”

Eriksson met the undercover reporter, posing as a rich Arab, in Dubai to discuss a consultancy role for a new football academy.

During the meeting Eriksson is said to have suggested he would consider becoming Aston Villa manager if Enngland won the World Cup in Germany.

But Eriksson, who has been given the backing of the Football Association, says he is “100% committed” to England.

Eriksson’s employers at FA the were equally keen to confirm their support for him.

A senior source at the FA told the BBC Eriksson’s job was “not at risk in any way”.

And a statement on the FA’s website said it could “confirm that England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson continues to have the full support of the organisation.”

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