Post by Taxigirl on Jun 17, 2004 9:25:02 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/england/3787999.stm
By Phil McNulty
Our man with England
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to revert to his diamond formation for Thursday's match with Switzerland.
Paul Scholes, fit to start despite worries over a twisted ankle, is poised to play the attacking role with Frank Lampard as the defensive anchor.
Eriksson sees Scholes as central to England's progress, admitting: "We haven't got another Paul Scholes.
"It is impossible to find someone like him, at his age, with the same characteristics and qualities."
Scholes came through a full training session on Wednesday, after which Eriksson confirmed the Manchester United man had recovered from the ankle injury he suffered against France.
Eriksson is also hoping Scholes can finally break his international drought, but was again at pains to emphasise his overall value to the team.
"He has been criticised sometimes for not scoring goals for a long time for us but he's a big football player and he makes the whole midfield with his long and short passes.
"He has always been important for us," Eriksson added.
Eriksson is also expected to slot John Terry straight into the heart of his defence, despite Ledley King's fine display against France.
After missing out on the encounter in Lisbon, Terry is looking forward to his first experience of a major international tournament.
"I have trained for the last two or three days and am fit and raring to go now. I'm just hoping to play a part in the game," said Terry.
"It's my first experience of tournament football so I'm just looking forward to it.
"To pick up a little injury before probably my biggest game ever was very frustrating and disappointing, but the lads did very well.
"I couldn't see any way France were going to break the back line and score - Ledley and Sol were magnificent."
David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Sol Campbell also trained on Wednesday so only Nicky Butt is unavailable for today's match.
By Phil McNulty
Our man with England
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to revert to his diamond formation for Thursday's match with Switzerland.
Paul Scholes, fit to start despite worries over a twisted ankle, is poised to play the attacking role with Frank Lampard as the defensive anchor.
Eriksson sees Scholes as central to England's progress, admitting: "We haven't got another Paul Scholes.
"It is impossible to find someone like him, at his age, with the same characteristics and qualities."
Scholes came through a full training session on Wednesday, after which Eriksson confirmed the Manchester United man had recovered from the ankle injury he suffered against France.
Eriksson is also hoping Scholes can finally break his international drought, but was again at pains to emphasise his overall value to the team.
"He has been criticised sometimes for not scoring goals for a long time for us but he's a big football player and he makes the whole midfield with his long and short passes.
"He has always been important for us," Eriksson added.
Eriksson is also expected to slot John Terry straight into the heart of his defence, despite Ledley King's fine display against France.
After missing out on the encounter in Lisbon, Terry is looking forward to his first experience of a major international tournament.
"I have trained for the last two or three days and am fit and raring to go now. I'm just hoping to play a part in the game," said Terry.
"It's my first experience of tournament football so I'm just looking forward to it.
"To pick up a little injury before probably my biggest game ever was very frustrating and disappointing, but the lads did very well.
"I couldn't see any way France were going to break the back line and score - Ledley and Sol were magnificent."
David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Sol Campbell also trained on Wednesday so only Nicky Butt is unavailable for today's match.