England ready but wary

By Phil McNulty
Our man with England

ENGLAND V SWITZERLAND MATCH DETAILS Group B, Coimbra Thursday 17 June, 1700 BST Team news and statistics BBC COVERAGE Live on Five Live and this website BBC's Euro 2004 coverage

Sven-Goran Eriksson insists England will not take Switzerland lightly when they meet in Coimbra on Thursday.

Following defeat by France, England face the Swiss knowing they will crash out of Euro 2004 if they lose.

Eriksson said: "We will not under-estimate Switzerland. To do so would be very dangerous. They have nothing to lose. They are not favourites.

"If we think we can just attack with everything, it would be a big mistake because they are good on the counter."

Asked to consider the implications of defeat, Eriksson quickly replied: "I've never before in my life contemplated defeat before a match and I'm not going to start now."

Scholes fitness boost

England have Paul Scholes fit after a twisted ankle, and will recall John Terry in place of Ledley King after he missed the France game with a hamstring injury.

And Eriksson stirred England's stars by admitting that for some of them, Euro 2004 may represent their last chance of glory on the international stage.

I have faith in him and I'm quite sure he will play better than he did on Sunday Eriksson on Michael Owen Analysis: Can Owen prosper? Terry Butcher's view

He said: "They know if they don't do it in the tournament this time, they will have to wait two years and though many will still be around, some won't.

The Swede also confirmed he will talk with Michael Owen before the game after substituting the Liverpool striker following his subdued display against France.

He said: "I have faith in him and I'm quite sure he will play better than he did on Sunday.

"He's working very hard and looks happy and strong and I'm confident about him.

Will the heat take its toll on the England players against Switzerland? From Phil Mc - our man in Portugal Have your say on 606

"My job sitting on the bench is to try and see if I can do something better, and that is what I thought I would do."

Eriksson admits the heat will be a factor in England's tactics, with temperatures hitting 100 degrees pitchside during their training session on Wednesday.

"We have be aggressive and win the ball early even if the weather is against it.

"But one thing is for sure, I don't want to see too many long balls in these temperatures. I want us to keep the ball," he continued.

"Switzerland are also a team that like to play football. There will be two teams out there who want to keep the ball.

England know they should have won against France and the pressure is now on them Swiss star Stephane Henchoz More Switzerland quotes

"We must be disciplined and concentrated. The players know this is a golden opportunity to have a good tournament.

"They are very professional in the job they do and they have been very focused since losing to France.

"They have wanted revenge since they woke up on Monday, they are looking forward to the game and I'm sure they will react very well."

Frank Lampard, whose header had given England the lead against France, took up that theme by insisting England were itching to get their campaign back on track.

"We have all had disappointments, but it was the first time I'd felt like that after a game," he told BBC Five Live.

We expected to get a result against France and we will expect to get a result against Switzerland Frank Lampard

"We are desperate to go out and put it right. We'll go out on Thursday knowing how we felt and how much we want to get into the quarter-finals.

"We expected to get a result against France and we will expect to get a result against Switzerland.

"If we can perform at our best we can get a result against anyone."

"The reaction we showed to my goal and to losing shows how the players really want to win and go as far as we can for ourselves and the supporters."