Post by Taxigirl on Dec 1, 2003 10:37:08 GMT
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed he fears his side's Euro 2004 hopes may be determined by players' fitness.
Eriksson hopes that his players can avoid injury and fatigue between now and the finals next June.
The Swede is confident that England can do well in Portugal, if all their best players are fit and available.
"If we have players who are fit we will do very, very well - their fitness is more important for me than the draw," said Eriksson.
"That is also the most frustrating thing about this job because you cannot do anything about it.
"We will try to win it of course but to win a big trophy like that you need a little bit of luck but most importantly fresh players - and especially the key players - but it is the same for all the countries, not just England.
"If we have everyone fit, we do not need to be afraid of any team.
"I was sitting on the same table as [Germany head coach] Rudi Voller at dinner and he was saying they have a winter break in Germany, which must make a difference, but I know it is an English tradition to play at Christmas.''