Post by Taxigirl on Feb 18, 2004 11:30:26 GMT
Wednesday, 18 February
Faro, Kick-off 2115 GMT
England will again put off-field matters to one side when they face Portugal in a friendly on Wednesday.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's hesitancy to sign a deal with the Football Association to extend his tenure as England manager has dominated the build-up.
England will gain some vital experience of Portuguese conditions ahead of this summer's European Championship by playing the host nation.
The teams will line up at the brand new Estadio Algarve stadium in Faro.
The 30,000-capacity ground has been purpose-built for the European Championships and will then become the new home of Sporting Farense.
After successfully qualifying for the competition in Portugal, England ended last year with a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Denmark in a friendly at Old Trafford.
Eriksson wants his side to send out a warning to their European rivals and has pledged to pick his first-choice 11 to start against Portugal.
"We're meeting one of the favourites this summer so we're going to start with the best possible team," said Eriksson.
Michael Owen is expected to lead the attack after a lengthy lay-off with a thigh injury alongside Everton teenager Wayne Rooney.
David James will resume goalkeeping duties behind a new-look back four as central-defensive partners Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell are both missing.
John Terry, viewed as a solid replacement for the suspended Ferdinand, further disrupted Eriksson's plan after pulling out with a shin injury, meaning Ledley King is set to start alongside Gareth Southgate in central defence.
Captain David Beckham will marshall the midfield but playmaker Steven Gerrard is missing as his girlfriend is expecting their first child.
Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell also withdrew from the squad on Tuesday because of illness.
Eriksson is expected to give some of the fringe players a chance as he sticks to his much-criticised plan of making wholesale changes at half-time.
Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas is likely to benefit from the Swede's tactics by picking up his fourth cap.
Leeds striker Alan Smith will aim to add to his single goal at international level now he is back in the England squad.