England on road to glory

Michael Owen's fitness is crucial to England's ambitions

BBC Sport Online chief football writer Phil McNulty examines England's chances of making an impact at the 2002 World Cup finals.

England's automatic qualification for the 2002 World Cup Finals may only have been clinched by David Beckham's injury-time equaliser against Greece.

But no-one can deny that manager Sven Goran Eriksson has restored the team's standing in the world game.

However, the sophisticated Swede whose analytical approach has transformed the face of England's football now faces his biggest challenge.

England will travel to Asia's first World Cup as potential winners - but will have to perform at the maximum to defeat an array of familiar foes.

France won the World Cup on home soil in 1998 - and they have followed up by winning Euro 2000 and this year's Confederations Cup.

And they have retained the basis of the side that is widely accepted to be the finest in the world.

Batistuta aiming for World Cup glory

England will at least have an encyclopaedic knowledge of what awaits them, with coach Roger Lemerre leaning heavily on France's Premiership contingent.

Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and Chelsea's Marcel Desailly will form the defensive spine, while Arsenal duo Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry will be the mainstays of midfield and attack.

Argentina are regarded as arguably the biggest pre-tournament threat to France, qualifying with four games to spare in a campaign marked by their attacking commitment.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa has won the hearts of the hard-to- please Argentine public following initial scepticism.

Bielsa is an eccentric figure who was not even well know in Argentina when he left Spain's Espanyol to take charge.

He sometimes refuses to even stay in the same hotel as his players, such is his determination not to get too close to his charges.

Bielsa's explanation to one curious star was: "While you are sleeping, I am thinking of ways for the team to win."

It is a task he has performed successfully so far.

Vieira will be fierce opponent

Argentina have a heavy European influence and will be no less competitive than they were in France four years ago, when they won that epic encounter against England.

Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo are world-class rivals for a place in attack, and Eriksson will eye them as genuine rivals.

But England will enter the tournament, barring accidents, with more optimism of victory than they have had since they reached the semi-final in Italia 90.

Eriksson has moulded a team of outstanding young stars to the experienced end of his squad, bringing order to the tactical chaos of the Kevin Keegan era.

England's midfield can stand in comparison with most in the world.

David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard form a world-class trio, combing silk and steel to great effect.

Nick Barmby has done an excellent job in the troublesome left flank role, but Newcastle United's Kieron Dyer could emerge as a late contender if he is fit.

Owen - world class marksman

England's World Cup build up will now focus heavily on the fitness of Michael Owen, probably the world's most feared striker after his early season form and his four goals against Germany and Albania.

Owen's hamstring injury was a recurring nightmare, not only for the player and Liverpool, but also for England.

But Owen is confident the latest hamstring problem will not be long term - and his proven track record as a striker who can win matches on his own makes him a must for next summer.

England are potential World Cup winners with Michael Owen, but without him they may be also rans.

Owen is that important.

Eriksson must also have worries over goalkeeper David Seaman, who is showing signs of vulnerability - and not just physically.

He will hope to get one last hurrah out of the Arsenal veteran, particularly as potential successors Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright still have question marks over their international reputations.

England will also hope Wes Brown will mature even further under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United to cover up lingering doubts over Sol Campbell's form and fitness.

Eriksson has shown himself to be an outstanding motivator and team builder.

He and his players will genuinely believe they can win the World Cup - and fully fit, armed with the maturity another year will bring, may just mean they are right.