There were fears Vassell could miss out on England's Euro 2004 campaign after picking up a hamstring injury playing for Aston Villa at the end of the season.

The injury prevented him joining in full-contact training with his England teammates in Sardinia last week, but he came off the bench to play 13 minutes against Japan and has had no reaction.

He told TheFA.com: "I was really pleased to get the opportunity. I’m looking forward to the next game now and hopefully we can finish strongly and go to the finals on a high.

"I have no problems now. I’m fine. The England staff have looked after me really well - they have been on top of the injury and I have trained well this week and I’m enjoying it. I’m getting involved a lot more and hopefully it can all prove vital if I get a chance in the championships.

"Like every other player now I’m just thinking about Portugal. Hopefully we can go there and bring the trophy back and everybody can be proud of us."

Vassell has been used as a supersub by England over the last year, but the striker hasn't given up hope of forcing his way into the starting line-up - beginning with Saturday's Summer Tournament clash against Iceland.

"I’m still trying to get in the team because nothing is certain and the manager has said we are being looked at all the time," he insisted.

"But whoever plays I wish them all the best because we are all part of it and I’m glad to be involved. It’s a squad game in the championships because everybody will be needed at some point and that’s the attitude you have to go in with."

Vassell watched from the bench on Tuesday night as Michael Owen gave the Three Lions a first-half lead with a typical piece of clinical finishing.

And he believes the Liverpool man is hitting top form just at the right time.

He said: "It’s pleasing for everyone, not just the team, to see Michael scoring. Everybody who watches the game or wants England to do well will think that.

"It’s nice to see him score, it’s what he’s good at and what’s he’s done ever since he first got picked. Hopefully he can take that form into the tournament and we can all do well.

"It is a big boost for the country that he is on form. But it’s not about just one player, we’re all involved in it and hopefully we can give Michael enough chances to score.

"The performance against Japan wasn't too bad. We haven’t played as a team for quite a long time and I think we'll improve.

"We have done a lot of work in training, on set pieces and things like that, and we’re hoping to build on that. It’s a base. We’ve got another game and hopefully we can get a strong result and go into the finals on a high."