Terry set for England return

John Terry is poised to return to England’s starting line-up for Thursday’s Euro 2004 clash with Switzerland despite a glowing reference for Ledley King from coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Terry has recovered from the hamstring injury which forced him to miss Sunday’s heartbreaking 2-1 reversal against reigning champions France.

King deputised in that game for the Chelsea defender and looked at ease in his first competitive match for his country as Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane - before his two-goal blast in the dying seconds – were given little chance to shine.

But Eriksson hinted strongly that Terry would be resuming his partnership with Sol Campbell against the Swiss in Coimbra.

Eriksson said: “Is there no reason to leave King out? You are right – but there is also absolutely no reason to keep Terry out if he is fit.

“It is a good problem but Ledley will not be that disappointed. Disappointed - but he will understand that.”

Eriksson added: “The few times I have picked Ledley, I have always been impressed with what he has done in practice and he picks things up quickly.

“You tell him certain things and he does them. The game he played in Portugal for us in February was fantastic and he did well again on Sunday.”

Eriksson admitted that concerns that striker Wayne Rooney might be losing his cool and in danger of being sent off had been one consideration when substituting the striker with just under 20 minutes remaining on Sunday.

Rooney produced a sparkling display and was always a threat to the French defence but he had been involved in a couple of spats with midfielder Claude Makelele shortly before he was brought off.

Eriksson conceded: “We talked about it on the bench (the threat of being sent off) and when you are tired it is easier to lose your patience.

“But Wayne did very well. I am a little surprised because when we met up three weeks ago he didn’t look that sharp. On Sunday he was absolutely fantastic.

“I also don’t expect him to be badly affected by this defeat. I shall be surprised if anything affects Wayne Rooney.

“He cares deeply that we lost but I don’t think it will be a case of him not sleeping for the next three days because of it!

“If I know him, then rightly he will be looking forward to the next game, the next training session.”

Paul Scholes is the major injury worry for Thursday’s game with an ankle problem and is rated only 50-50 by Eriksson.

The likes of Owen Hargreaves, Kieron Dyer, Joe Cole, Nicky Butt and Emile Heskey, who has played on the left side of midfield on many occasions, are contenders if the Manchester midfielder is ruled out.