Eriksson expects Scholes to be fit

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has insisted Paul Scholes is 100% fit for England’s vital Euro 2004 clash with Switzerland in Coimbra on Thursday.

The Manchester United midfielder had been unable to train since Sunday’s heartbreaking 2-1 reversal by France because of an ankle problem.

But he was able to participate in a full session today in temperatures approaching 100 degrees at pitch level – and has been given a clean bill of health.

Eriksson said: “I am 100% certain Paul Scholes will be fit for tomorrow.

“He did everything today, including shooting at the end. He will be okay. That is good news for us.”

Right-back Gary Neville is also fully recovered for a game England must win to keep their tournament hopes alive after picking up a slight calf strain on Sunday.

The Swede confirmed: “Neville will be okay.”

Eriksson admitted he has made his mind up who will partner Sol Campbell after John Terry again confirmed he has completely recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against Japan in Manchester a fortnight ago.

The Chelsea defender is almost certain to take over from Ledley King despite his impressive performance against the French.

Eriksson promised his side would adopt a positive approach from the first whistle despite the sweltering conditions which are likely to greet the players at kick-off time.

He said: “When we go into the game we have to attack and be very aggressive and win the ball early even if the weather is against it.

“We have to be motivated and concentrated like we were against France for nearly the whole game if we are going to beat Switzerland.

“The heat is a little bit bad for us but we cannot say that we can’t play football because it is warm. It will be the same for Switzerland and we knew in Portugal in June and July what the weather would be like.”

Eriksson is refusing to contemplate the worst scenario of defeat which would eliminate England from the competition.

He said: “I am not going to be thinking about defeat before a game – I have never done that and never will.

“We will do the same as we did on Sunday, show the same intensity. I am confident we will win tomorrow.”