Wiltord promises to score against England

SYLVAIN Wiltord is convinced that he will be the man to beat England in their European Championship clash and pledged to hit the net on Sunday.

The 30-year-old frontman also says France's Premiership-based foreign legion are anxiously awaiting the cross-channel tie.

Eight of Les Bleus ply their trade in England, and the Arsenal striker Wiltord says they are counting the hours until battle commences.

"Obviously, it will be strange for me and all the other 'Frenchies'. We've spoken about it over the last few months, and we can't wait to play against them. We tease them and joke about it during training, everybody is looking forward to France versus England," he said.

Wiltord became a national hero when he netted a dramatic injury-time equaliser in the Euro 2000 final against Italy. Since then, however, he has failed to match the success of his more illustrious Arsenal team-mates and leaves Highbury this summer.

An injury-plagued season has failed to dent Wiltord's confidence and he insists he is ready to make another telling contribution for his country.

He delivered a fearless prediction about the game: "It will be 1-0 to us, we'll make it 2-0 at the end. I'll score or make a decisive pass."

After four years in North London the former Bordeaux man knows exactly what kind of match to expect: "Very physical, very physical. The English have a lot of qualities, there are a lot of very good players, who don't always perform as well for England, maybe they feel more at ease with their clubs than with England.

"However, it's true that physically it will be a very tough match."

While Wiltord's club career has stalled, he continues to shine for France. He has notched 62 international caps and fired two goals against Andorra last month to take his international total to 22.

The European Championship has treated Sylvain Wiltord well could another impressive tournament secure the lucrative transfer that gets his career back on track? He certainly hopes that it will.

"If we have some good results I think I'll be fine, clubs will be interested in signing me and I'll benefit from a good Euro," he insisted.

Despite attracting attention from several Premiership clubs and French giants Paris St Germain, Wiltord hopes to see out his career in sunnier climes: "I think a Spanish club would suit me in terms of football, the ambiance and the other little things I like. I don't think the Spanish league is inferior," he said.

"The Italian league doesn't really suit my style of play, and it would be a bit strange going to a club other than Arsenal in the Premiership.

"At the moment it wouldn't be easy to go back to France. I've always said PSG, a club I love, a family club, a club where I grew up, would always be a pleasure to go to. It's not my priority but we'll see. At the moment I'm trying to prepare for the European Championships, after which I'll listen to all the offers proposed and I'll make the right decision."