In an exclusive interview for England TV here on TheFA.com, Tord talked of the significance of the only friendly between Euro 2004 and the qualifiers:

“It’s important to look at the players, how they are physically and mentally after Euro 2004," he explained, "and also to see the players from abroad of course.

“I hope we will win. It’s good to win before we go to Poland and Austria. I hope we’ll win and play well.”

How did you make the team selection for tonight’s match?

“We’re looking for the players that have been with us a while now like Steven Gerrard, Beckham, Ashley Cole, Gary Neville.

“All these players that we have had for a while. If they are fit and looking good we wanted to pick them of course.

“Then we mixed them up with some young talent, players for the future, but I think that for the qualification games we need a team with a bit of experience."

Nicky Butt steps in to replace the recently retired Paul Scholes...

"Nicky Butt is the best holding player we have.

"He did very well in the first game against Middlesbrough so deserves his chance to come back again."

We don’t lose something with Gerrard on the left?

"He has played there before and every time he’s played there he does well.

"When he plays on the left for Liverpool he’s very strong there - he scores goals from that side.

"There is no problem for him to play there."
18 August 2004
Tord on Ukraine