Hedman tips England success

Hedman believes England have strength in depth

Sweden goalkeeper Magnus Hedman believes England can make an impact on the World Cup - with or without Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard.

Hedman, who plays in the English First Division with Coventry, says his countryman Sven-Goran Eriksson need not rely on "two or three key players".

The 'keeper, who will play against England at Old Trafford on Saturday, said: "I think England can do well next summer."

He added: "If they have a full squad available and people are not too tired after a long domestic season they stand a chance of making an impact.

Owen and Gerrard are key players

"But it shouldn't be the case of them relying on two or three key players if they are going to do well, it shouldn't be that way.

"If I said that it would be more reasonable because Sweden is only a small football country, if we have key players out it is a hill for us to climb.

"England, with all the players available in the Premiership, shouldn't struggle to put out a quality side.

"I don't go along with the thinking that if people like Owen and Gerrard are out that England will struggle, there are so many other players to step in and take their positions.

"With an England squad of 22 to 24 players, it doesn't matter if you get injuries."

Hedman also paid tribute to fellow Swede Eriksson's impact.

Since the foreign influence, things have been picking up

Hedman on Eriksson

"When he took over, England was so low down he could only go one way", Hedman said.

"It had to go one way - otherwise it would have been a big catastrophe.

"He's done better than people expected.

"People expected England to start climbing their World Cup group, but the way they have done it and the result in Germany has made Mr Eriksson a hero and a big personality.

"I wasn't surprised about the controversy when he was appointed, because English people in general are very traditional - and having a foreign coach was a massive step for English football.

"But I think it has helped - and it can help English football go even further.

Hedman trains at Old Trafford this week

"A foreign national coach and foreign Premiership managers bring new influences into the game.

"That's what England needed because English football suffered in the early 1990s and the mid-1990s.

"Since the foreign influence, things have been picking up."