The Minister of Defence

Argentinian forward Gabriel Batistuta (L) is challenged by English defender Sol Campbell during the 1998 Soccer World Cup second round match between Argentina and England, 30 June at Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France. The two sides are currently tied 2-2 in the second half. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO

Commanding centre-back Sol Campbell carries a huge responsibilty to deliver the goods at national level for Sven-Goran Eriksson's emerging team after his partner Rio Ferdinand's lengthy ban.

England defender Sol Campbell tries his hand at basketball after a press conference at the training ground in La Baule, eastern France 13 June. England`s first 1998 Soccer World Cup match against Tunisia will be played in Marseille 15 June. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

His great strength and tackling as well as dominance in the air have seen him make consistent performances since making his international debut in 1996.

He will be 30-years-old in September, 2004 and brings a wealth of experience to the England side having already played two Euro's and two World Cups.

The giant East Londoner spent nine years at Tottenham Hotspur but only won the 1999 League Cup for his efforts before al transfer to arch rivals and North London neighbors Arsenal in 2001.

Disallowed goal

le défenseur anglais Sol Campbell (G) devance l'attaquant belge Emile Mpenza, le 29 mai à Casablanca, lors de la rencontre Angleterre/Belgique, à l'occasion du Tournoi Hassan II, dans le cadre de leur préparation à la Coupe du monde de football. (IMAGE ELECTRONIQUE)

He was in the England squad at Euro 96 but made only one appearance as a substitute for Terry Venables's team, which reached the semi-finals.

When Glenn Hoddle took over as England boss, he put his trust in Campbell as part of his central pairing and at France 98, he played one of his greatest matches in vain as Argentina won a second round thriller on penalties.

Campbell even had the ball in the net heading home for what would have been the winner only for the referee to disallow the goal for an infraction in the box.

If he has a weak point, it is his poor passing distribution coming out of defence and this was cruelly exposed at Euro 2000 where Portugal and then Romania combined for a total of six goals against England to send Kevin Keegan's team packing.

Arsenal's Sol Campbell (L) vies with Alvaro Novo (R) of Real Mallorca during the UEFA Champions League match at Highbury in London 24 October 2001.

Arsenal French captain Patrick Vieira (C), Ashley Cole (L) and Sol Campbell (R) celebrate after a premier league match win over Manchester United at Old Trafford 08 May 2002. The win secured Arsenal the double after winning the cup final 04 May 2002.

He settled slowly at Arsenal but reaped the rewards of his move when they won the English Premiership and FA Cup in 2002.

He then went to Asia for his second World Cup in 2002 and was monumental in the 1-0 revenge first round win over Argentina in what was one of the games of the tournament.

Although, England ran out of steam in the quarter-finals, beaten by Brazil, Eriksson had restored pride to the national set-up and there is great optimism for Euro 2004 with Campbell as one of his lynchpins.

The colossal defender warmed up for the tournament in Portugal by helping Arsenal to the title in 2004 as they swept aside all competition and made it all the sweeter by wrapping up the championship at Tottenham's ground, White Hart Lane.