Eriksson is without the services of the injured Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate and John Terry.

The loss of Terry was undoubtely a blow to Eriksson's hopes as the Chelsea man was expected to partner Gareth Southgate in defence, but now it looks as though Tottenham's Ledley King will win his third cap.

"We're a bit unlucky to be without four extremely good central defenders - not only in England, but the world," said Eriksson.

"But it will be good to see other players. I think Ledley King is ready - but we will see tomorrow.

"I hope to have them [the injured defenders] ready for the Sweden game [on March 31] and before the tournament because it's important to know exactly which two defenders are going to be starting in Euro 2004.

"I have some ideas if I have everybody available - but tomorrow will be different, those two have not played together.''

After today's withdrawal of Terry and Aston Villa forward Darius Vassell, Eriksson now has a fully fit squad with which to tackle the challenge of Luis Felipe Scolari's Portugal.

"All 22 are now fit to play tomorrow," said Eriksson. "I'm not saying I'll play them all - but they are fit.'' 

Excitement is building with only a few months to go until EURO 2004 and Eriksson believes he has the players at his disposal to enable England to win the European Championships for the first time.

"We hope to win, of course, and I've always said we're very confident,'' he said.

"You must be lucky and when you talk about that it's maybe about injured players. We have some very good players and if we have all of them there or almost all of them I think we are very strong.''

And of all the players available to him, Eriksson singled out his captain as providing that little bit of extra quality that any team needs in order to win the biggest prizes.

"Beckham for England, for Manchester United and now for Real Madrid, he's always been very good.

"You can't find another right foot like his in the world.''


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