Eriksson backs Beckham

By Phil McNulty
Our man with England

Eriksson says Beckham (left) will bounce back strongly

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is backing captain David Beckham to make amends for his crucial penalty miss in the Euro 2004 defeat against France.

Beckham saw his spot-kick saved with England leading 1-0, with France going on to win 2-1 in Lisbon, but the Swede is backing his skipper to bounce back.

"He is mentally strong and he is our captain," said Eriksson.

"He can set an example. It's important, with other senior players like Michael Owen, Gary Neville and Sol Campbell."

Eriksson is also happy for Beckham to continue on penalty duty, despite his second successive miss.

The mood in this camp won't change just because two minutes of football have gone against us Gary Neville

The Swede is examining all his midfield options with Paul Scholes a serious doubt, being rated at only 50-50 with a twisted ankle.

Eriksson added: "We have a lot of options. Owen Hargreaves is one and came on very well against France.

"Kieron Dyer is another, of course. You could put in Nicky Butt and change the midfield around a little bit, so we will see."

Eriksson may ponder changing the central midfield partnership of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, but praised the contribution of both players against the French.

He said: "We could keep them together or we could change over. But even if we change system they will be in the team for sure.

"It was an excellent performance by both of them."

England stay positive

And he insisted England's players will not suffer for their exertions in stifling heat when they play Switzerland in Coimbra on Thursday.

He said: "Of course, they were tired but if you asked the French, I think they were tired as well and that's normal.

"If you compare it with Japan, our fitness level is much better now than then. Not by one or two players, but by all of them."

Meanwhile, Gary Neville revealed there is a mood of defiance and determination in England's camp as they focus on the tie with Switzerland.

Neville said after the defeat to France: "It's probably the least bothered I have ever been by a defeat.

Academy: How can England recover?

"We got hit on the chin by a sucker punch, but if we play France again could they have similar good fortune?

"We were enjoying those last 15 minutes and controlled the match, but football does funny things.

"We are not going to change the mood in this camp just because two minutes of football have gone against us.

"We take it on the chin, move on and hopefully show a lot of those qualities against against Switzerland on Thursday."