Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com for England TV Sven told us that Ukraine will always be a dangerous prospect, especially with a man like Shevchenko involved.

"They haven't played this season, but normally have good technique and play good football," he explained. 

"They have Shevchenko up front - he's one of the best centre-forwards you can find, and was the best goal-scorer in Italy last season.

"So it shall be very interesting. Ukraine normally play very good football.

Are you expecting him to play?

"I know that he's in the squad, so if he's in the squad I expect him to play - if I was the manager there I should play him!!"

We'll have a different strike force in Italy due to injuries - any clues?

"Unfortunately Rooney is injured. I think we suffered from that injury against Portugal, because he was playing fantastically and we missed him during that game.

"We have an interesting striker playing for Tottenham in Defoe. We had him in Sardinia in training, and he impressed us all, so we're going to have a look at him.

"He's a goal-scorer and you always need goal-scorers. He's very positive, easy to work with. He's strong, has pace and is a goal-scorer."

You'll see the lads in Newcastle for the first time since Euro 2004 - what will you say to them?

"We'll talk just a little about Euro 2004 of course. Then we'll talk about the future and what's important for us.

"The big target for us over the next 1 and a half year is to qualify. That's a must."

16 August 2004      
Sven-Göran Eriksson Exclusive