Eriksson named his squad yesterday to face Wales and Azerbaijan, and with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Sol Campbell all back in contention he is full of confidence.

"We are feeling good," he said. "I hope we will get six points and be number one in the group. But we have a lot of respect for Wales, especially as it's a derby game.

"As we say in Sweden probably they will eat raw meat all the week before they meet England!

"Of course they want to beat England because we are the favourites on paper and seem like the big brother, I suppose.

"It will be a difficult game for us but we will be ready for it.

"It will also be hard in Azerbaijan because I watched their match against Wales and they looked well organised and difficult to beat."

Eriksson is particularly looking forward to taking on Wales at Old Trafford next weekend, 20 years since the two nations last met.

He said: "I think it's like a local derby and it's 20 years since we played them - and I hear Wales beat England 1-0 that day with a goal from Mark Hughes.

Of course they want to beat us again, we have to understand that.

But we want to win as well. It's a special game, very special."

There is no chance that England will take the game lightly, especially with the incredible strides made by Wales in recent years.

Hughes' side were hugely unlucky not to reach the finals of Euro 2004 after losing in the play-offs to Russia and will be tough opponents.

Eriksson said: "They have a good side. The pace of Bellamy and Giggs is a problem, you have tobe awake there because if they are past you they are gone.

"The experience of Gary Speed, who I still think is a very very good football player, will be important for them, too.

"He is clever and makes football simple. And when he comes late into the box he is a threat.

"They have other good players but those three are very important, along with John Hartson who knows where the goal is.

"We have to be very careful and very focused. If you are favourite on paper it doesn't mean you win a derby all the time."