Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urged David Seaman to extend his England career as he revealed how the goalkeeper had returned to training more determined than ever after his World Cup mishap. Wenger has less than 24 hours to reach an agreement on personal terms with Juventus goalkeeper Fabian Carini over a projected one-year loan deal.

If the deal falls through, that would leave him just a fortnight to find a back-up number one before the transfer window closes as reserve Stuart Taylor is still inexperienced and Richard Wright and Alex Manninger have both been sold.

Seaman, meanwhile, is still Arsenal's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper although his injury problems last season must contribute to Wenger's feelings of unease as he seeks a resolution with Carini. At least the Arsenal boss is convinced Seaman is showing no signs of buckling under the strain of his World Cup experiences as he approaches the start of Arsenal's title defence against Birmingham this weekend.

The 38-year-old was in tears at the end of England's quarter-final defeat by Brazil as he apologised to the nation for having been beaten by Ronaldinho's freak 30-yard free-kick. Seaman has yet to announce whether he intends to continue his England career, albeit presuming that Eriksson still wants to pick him as he turns 39 next month.

Wenger insisted: "I encourage all players to stay on at international level as it is something that pushes you. You are judged by everyone at the top international level and that keeps you sharp. I hope he will carry on and, knowing him, I would say that he will."

Wenger admits he was "a bit worried" at Seaman's self-critical, emotional reaction after the World Cup quarter-final.

"I know how motivated he is and how much England means to him. I was surprised that, with all his experience, he felt so guilty as it obviously looked as though the guy wanted to cross the ball," he said.

"But he's a strong guy even though he looks relaxed. I called him after the World Cup. By then he was analysing things well and putting the right importance on things."

The danger for Arsenal was that Seaman would still be carrying the mental scars of that self-perceived mistake when he reported back for pre-season training. Not so, insists Wenger, who has been hugely impressed with the veteran's attitude and fitness.

"He's found something extra and looks even sharper than, say, three years ago. He looks very young," he added.

"David is a very ambitious guy. Look at the trophies he has lifted and his dedication in training. He is slimmer, sharper and works so hard. He's just a winner. He's an exceptional 'keeper and an exceptional human being. Overall, I think he had a great World Cup."

Despite that faith, Wenger cannot expect Seaman to play an entire season at his age and while he "believes Stuart Taylor needs a chance", he also recognises the need for adequate cover.

Hence the move for 22-year-old Uruguay goalkeeper Carini, which looked to have been agreed last month only for a problem to emerge yesterday.

Wenger revealed: "We still have to agree personal terms as, if we don't, we will have to look for someone else before the transfer deadline."

Arsenal experienced frustration last summer in their attempt to sign Jerzy Dudek before the Poland international went to Liverpool, but Wenger does not see any real similarities.

"That was down to money, not personal terms, although when we pulled out of the deal, it was to Liverpool's benefit as the transfer fee came down," he said.

"Life in football is like that though. What counts is the overall situation."

Wenger is still looking ahead to the new season flushed with optimism after his side's double success and fuelled with belief that there is more to come from his young squad.

"Our challenge is to start again and to get better than last season. This team is hungry and wants to achieve more," he warned.

"They are real fighters. We can improve our team play. We can do better at home, better in Europe and better in the Worthington Cup."

Birmingham's record signing Clinton Morrison is losing his battle to be fit for the opener at Highbury. Steve Bruce's �4million-plus signing from Crystal Palace is struggling to overcome a groin problem in time to face the Gunners.

Morrison trained on Thursday in the hope of showing he was ready to face Arsenal but he suffered a reaction and Bruce is unlikely to risk him if it means he could then face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

With fellow striker Paul Devlin suspended it means Bruce will include his latest summer signing Jovan Kirovski in his squad for Sunday. Bruce, who also has another summer acquisition Robbie Savage suspended for this weekend, said: "We will wait and give Clinton as long as possible to see if he is fit but unfortunately it looks as if time has run out for this Sunday.

"He got a bang on his leg at Stoke in a pre-season game and we thought it was a hamstring problem but it looks instead as if he has twisted his groin from the impact of the bang and he hasn't really recovered."

Kirovski has signed for Blues after finally obtaining a work permit although Bruce admits the former Manchester United youth team player is short of match practice.

He said: "Jovan has played a couple of games behind closed doors and ideally I would have liked for him to have had a couple more matches under his belt. But, with the injuries and suspensions, he will now jump straight into the squad for Sunday and he certainly has got a lot of ability."

Bruce admits it is vital Blues survive the first season in the Premiership which will be his first taste of management at top level after an apprenticeship which has included Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Wigan and Crystal Palace.

He said: "This is our first season and it's the most important season because the longer you are in the Premiership, the more established you become. Your club can become bigger and better. If you stay in there you can build up your club and that is vital given the gap that now exists between the Premiership and Division One in terms of finance."

�� HEAD TO HEAD NOTES

�� This is the first meeting of these clubs since Arsenal's 4-1 win in the Third Round of the Coca Cola League Cup on 14 October, 1997.

�� It's their first League meeting since Birmingham's 0-1 home loss in the former League - Division One on 3 May, 1986.

�� The last three corresponding fixtures were drawn.

�� Birmingham's last League win at Highbury was 45 years ago.

�� The Blues' only win in 37 League visits to the North London giants over 76 years was 1-3 in the old First Division on 19 October, 1957

�� WON LAST 13 PREMIERSHIP GAMES

�� WON LAST 7 HOME LEAGUE MATCHES

�� 21 UNBEATEN IN THE LEAGUE

�� UNDEFEATED IN LAST 11 HOME LEAGUE GAMES

�� SCORED IN EACH OF LAST 38 PREMIERSHIP MATCHES

�� Won 17 of last 20 Premiership matches

�� 1 draw in last 15 top flight encounters

�� 1 defeat in last 26 top division duels

�� Failed to find the net in 1 of last 42 League clashes

�� Managed 6 clean sheets in last 7 top tier League outings

�� Dennis BERGKAMP is a hat trick away from 100 goals for Arsenal.

�� If he plays, Thierry HENRY will be making his 100th League appearance for the Gunners.

�� Scored in each of the last 39 League games. That's a club record. The all-time League record is 46, set by Chesterfield in the old Third Division (North) over two seasons between 1929 and 1931.

�� Completed eight 'doubles' last season, scored a Premiership best 26 League wins, and suffered only three defeats.

�� A win would take the Gunners all-time Premiership points tally past the 600 mark. They have 598 at present, 349 of which were picked up at home

�� 10 UNBEATEN IN THE LEAGUE

�� 5 AWAY LEAGUE MATCHES WITHOUT DEFEAT

�� DRAWN LAST 3 AWAY LEAGUE ENCOUNTERS

�� Won 8 of last 15 First Division matches

�� 5 draws in last 10 Nationwide League encounters

�� 2 defeats in last 15 Division One duels

�� Failed to find the net in one of last 11 League clashes

�� Managed 4 clean sheets in last 8 League outings

�� Geoff HORSFIELD needs a brace to register 50 career League goals.

�� If named in the eleven, both Paul DEVLIN and Martin GRAINGER will be making their 400th starts in senior club football

�� If he figures from the opening whistle, Nicky EADEN will be making the 350th start of his League career

�� If Robbie SAVAGE is involved, it will be the 250th League appearance of his career

�� Should Curtis WOOHOUSE take the field, he would be making his 150th career League appearance

�� Not been beaten since the 1-2 home reverse by Manchester City on 5 March, 2002.