Sven-Goran Eriksson will be treating tomorrow's friendly - and opponents Denmark - deadly seriously in Copenhagen as he prepares his squad for next month's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland. The England coach revealed his team at a lunchtime press conference and announced that the only change from the side which beat Azerbaijan 2-0 in March would see Jermain Defoe coming in for Michael Owen, who is suspended for the Wales' game.
DO YOU HAVE ANY INJURY WORRIES - AND WHAT'S YOUR VIEW OF ALAN SMITH'S DECISION TO STAY WITH HIS CLUB?
Shaun Wright-Phillips is not here as he has a swollen knee and has stayed in England. Apart from that, everyone else is fit. As for Alan Smith, I have to take a certain amount of responsibility because I didn't check how many games he had played. I spoke to the fitness coach at Manchester United and he was very keen that Alan should have 90 minutes of football.
WAS IT ALWAYS YOUR INTENTION TO FIELD YOUR STRONGEST SIDE?
Yes, I wanted to play the best team I can and the one which will play against Wales. That means Michael Owen will not start and Jermain Defoe will replace him. It wasn't a difficult decision. We are preparing for Wales and Northern Ireland so Michael will start on the bench, but will come on in the second half. Defoe has looked very sharp in training and his finishing has been very good. I think the partnership between him and Wayne Rooney, will work. Most definitely.
BUT IN THE LONG-TERM, MICHAEL OWEN IS STILL YOUR NUMBER ONE?
This is a very good chance for Jermain, a chance to show he can play against Wales, but Michael Owen is Michael Owen and has always scored goals for England. There have been times when he has been criticised for not scoring in a few games, but in the big matches he is like an insurance. He will always score for you. But, of course, Defoe has a chance.
WHAT SORT OF SHAPE DO YOU THINK THE PLAYERS ARE IN?
It is always difficult at this time of the season because they have only played one game, so it's hard to assess their form and fitness. But another reason why I have picked this team is because, at the end of last season, these ten/11 players were the best players in the country. My record in friendlies has not been the best, I am sorry to say, but it would be very nice if we can beat Denmark and make it three friendly victories on the trot, after the America tour.
DO YOU HOPE MICHAEL OWEN'S CLUB FUTURE IS RESOLVED?
I don't know what is going to happen with Michael; whether he will stay at Real Madrid or go. But I do know that if he plays the same number of games as he did last season, it will be absolutely fantastic for the national team because every time he played for us he was fantastic.
WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES WHICH PERSUADED YOU TO SELECT DARREN BENT?
He has pace, good technique and he can score goals. He was one of the best players in the Under 21s and given the fact that we have injuries to Peter Crouch and Andy Johnson, as well as the absence of Alan Smith, I felt it was right to turn to him. It will give us a good chance to have a closer look at him and, of course, it is a good chance for him. We have a few players missing but this is still a very strong squad.
JUST HOW STRONG IS THIS SQUAD COMPARED TO OTHERS YOU HAVE COACHED DURING YOUR ENGLAND REIGN?
In my mind, I have no doubts that this is the best, the strongest squad we have had in the last four or five years. This squad is very, very good. Excellent, in fact. The players are now at the right age and I hope we are among the best five or six in the world come next year. And, as a team, we will have to play very well tomorrow to beat Denmark because they have a lot of quality and, technically, are better than any of the other Scandinavian countries. I have got a lot of respect for Danish football. Denmark have never been easy opponents for anybody.
* The England Team: Robinson, Neville, Cole A, Ferdinand, Terry, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Cole J, Defoe, Rooney.
