Eriksson wants perfect start to Euro 2004
Stephen Wood
Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the road to the 2004 European championship could see his vision for England take shape.
Eriksson's side open their qualifying campaign with group seven matches against Slovakia on October 12 and Macedonia on October 16 -- their first competitive encounters since a disappointing quarter-final exit to Brazil at the World Cup in June.
The Swedish coach has urged his players to make as perfect a start as possible to the qualifying run, and is hoping he will have his strongest squad to pick from for some time.
"It makes a lot of difference when you can pick your strongest squad," Eriksson told reporters on Saturday.
"On paper at least we are very strong.
"I believe when all the players are fit we can compete with anyone in the world. I am not going to say we are going to win the (next) World Cup, because you need luck, but we are a good team. I am sure of that.
"Normally, if everything goes well, (we should) be better (by 2004). At the World Cup, maybe we were one of the youngest teams there.
"So we are looking forward to 2004, but first we must qualify. It is very important to get a good start in the qualifying -- it is not an easy group."
As well as Slovakia and Macedonia, England must face World Cup semi-finalists Turkey and Liechtenstein.
SUFFERED REGULARLY
Eriksson is particularly pleased with the form and fitness of Liverpool's Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard -- two players who have suffered regularly from injury in the past.
"It's good to see them both fit," said Eriksson, who was forced to do without Gerrard at the World Cup earlier this year when the 22-year-old pulled out of the England squad for the finals with a groin problem.
"They have had a lot of injuries but hopefully they will be able to have 90 minutes with us now.
"Steven has everything to become one of the biggest midfielders you can find."
Owen endured a barren spell of four games without a goal but rediscovered his touch with a hat-trick against Manchester City in the premier league last week.
"I have never been worried about Owen -- you know sooner or later he will start scoring," said Eriksson.
Eriksson, however, will be sweating on Owen and Gerrard's continuing fitness when they turn out for Liverpool against Chelsea on Sunday -- hours before Eriksson names his 23-man squad.
The same applies to the likes of Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Jonathan Woodgate (Leeds United) and Darius Vassell (Aston Villa), who all play on Sunday for their clubs.
Manchester United's Gary Neville, who missed the World Cup with a broken bone in his foot, will return to the England squad as long as he comes through Manchester United's league game with Everton on Monday night unscathed.
United's David Beckham, the England captain, and Paul Scholes both missed last month's friendly against Portugal through injury but they will also be in Eriksson's party.
But with players returning from injury, Eriksson could be forced to drop at least two from midfielders Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves, Trevor Sinclair, Lee Bowyer and Danny Murphy for the forthcoming double-header.
