Sven stays cool over shaky England defence

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has insisted that he has no over-riding concerns about the state of England’s defence despite the flaws exposed by Croatia.

Macedonia and Turkey, whom England face away in two of their next three Euro 2004 qualifiers, will know that exploiting the huge space left behind Ashley Cole whenever he pushes forward is the best way to attack Eriksson's side on the break.

Especially when the only holding midfielder, Nicky Butt, was taken off injured, Cole was afforded perilously little cover by his team-mates when he burst forward with ceaseless energy but with little regard for the consequences.