England's provisional squad for Portugal

DAVID JAMES (Manchester City)
23 caps, 0 goals
Age: 33

DAVID JAMES (Manchester City)
23 caps, 0 goals
Age: 33

Current form: Moved to sinking City from West Ham in January but his form has held up. Still, very occasionally, justifies "Calamity James" headlines.

Previous tournaments: First cap in 1997 but only confirmed as No 1 when David Seaman retired after 2002 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: Unchallenged by the other goalkeepers, has grown into role starting the past 13 internationals, and Eriksson will pray he stays fit.

PAUL ROBINSON (Tottenham Hotspur)
4 caps, 0 goals
Age: 24

Current form: Confidence has been damaged by malaise at Leeds United but his form has remained reasonably steady throughout. Can make alarming errors which pepper his generally solid displays.

Previous tournaments: None.

Portugal prospects: Back-up goalkeeper. Robinson has yet to start an international. Eriksson, probably sensibly, unmoved by earlier calls for him to supplant James.

IAN WALKER (Leicester City)
3 caps, 0 goals
Age: 32

Current form: Poor. His own vulnerability has been cruelly exposed in a struggling team and he has made some appalling errors especially in a terrible mid-season spell. In the squad because of a dearth of alternatives.

Previous tournaments: In squad for Euro '96. Missed the cut for 1998 World Cup. Has not played for England since ill-fated World Cup qualifier in 1997.

Portugal prospects: A last resort.

GARY NEVILLE (Manchester United)
61 caps, 0 goals
Age: 29

Current form: Turbulent season in which he has become a vocal figure. However his presence has brought much-needed solidity to his club's defence. Remains one of the most consistent performers.

Previous tournaments: Sorely missed through injury at 2002 World Cup. Selected for Euro '96 and 2000 as well as the 1998 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: A certainty at right-back.

PHIL NEVILLE (Manchester United)
46 caps, 0 goals
Age: 27

Current form: A revelation in central midfield last season, the sheen has dulled a little this and he has started to become a utility player again.

Previous tournaments: Made 1996 and 2000 European Championship squads, omitted from the intervening World Cups. Conceded penalty against Romania in 2000 which sealed England's exit.

Portugal prospects: The perennial fall-back but will be a useful member of the squad.

ASHLEY COLE (Arsenal)
24 caps, 0 goals
Age: 23

Current form: Early season concerns over his defending - and temperament - have been addressed. Still shines as an attacking force. Flourishing but yet to really repeat his club form at international level where he can sometimes be exposed.

Previous tournaments: Ever present at 2002 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: Remains first-choice left-back ahead of the strong challenge of Wayne Bridge.

WAYNE BRIDGE (Chelsea)
16 caps, 0 goals
Age: 23

Current form: Arguably the best buy of Roman Abramovich's spending spree. Has had a consistent, forceful second half to the season capped by the winning goal in the Champions' League quarter-final victory over Arsenal.

Previous tournaments: Squad for 2002 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: Unlikely to dislodge Cole, but would be a more than able deputy, or could be utilised on the left of midfield although that is unlikely.

JOHN TERRY (Chelsea)
7 caps, 0 goals
Age: 23

Current form: An immense season. Has grown physically and mentally, meeting the challenge and proving to be a natural leader. Positional play has improved as has his distribution. Can be inspirational. Hailed as a successor to Tony Adams - by Tony Adams.

Previous tournaments: None.

Portugal prospects: Seized the opportunity handed by Rio Ferdinand's suspension and injuries to others. Will start even if a worry persists over lack of pace.

SOL CAMPBELL (Arsenal)
56 caps, 1 goal
Age: 29

Current form: Has marshalled Arsenal's formidable defence - and nursed himself through with a persistent groin injury. Has risen to every challenge serenely and provides a powerful presence.

Previous tournaments: First outfield player to be selected to represent England in five consecutive major tournaments - from Euro '96 onwards.

Portugal prospects: The lynchpin of England's defence. Fitness will be fretted over.

LEDLEY KING (Tottenham Hotspur)
3 caps, 1 goal
Age: 23

Current form: Has played virtually all season out-of-position in the Tottenham midfield - a decision which has done him few favours. Looks far more comfortable when moved back into his natural role. Impressed when he scored for England in Portugal.

Previous tournaments: None Portugal prospects: Injuries have handed him a place - but only just. Eriksson will want to persist with his first-choice pairing throughout. Still too callow.

JAMIE CARRAGHER (Liverpool)
11 caps, 0 goals
Age: 26

Current form: Strong end to the season after coming into the Liverpool team as an emergency centre-back. Has given new-found solidity in a problem position for his club. It's there that he will primarily provide cover.

Previous tournaments: None. First England cap five years ago but has been in and out of squads mainly through injury.

Portugal prospects: In for his versatility but will be a back-up player.

DAVID BECKHAM (Real Madrid)
44 caps, 14 goals
Age: 29

Current form: Ruinously poor end to the season after a fantastic start. Red card on Sunday for Real summed up his frustrations both on and off the field.

Previous tournaments: Sent off as England went out of the 1998 World Cup against Argentina. Flopped along with the rest of the team at Euro 2000 and fitness problems clouded his 2002 World Cup campaign.

Portugal prospects: Captain and certain starter in all games.

KIERON DYER (Newcastle United)
20 caps, 0 goals
Age: 25

Current form: Indifferent. Injuries have been a problem and has struggled even if there have been notable highlights along the way such as his performance in the FA Cup at Southampton. Yet to fulfil potential. Has pace to burn.

Previous tournaments: Missed cut for Euro 2000 and was a frustrated, injury-hampered participant in last World Cup.

Portugal prospects: Will start on the bench and be used as an impact substitute.

STEVEN GERRARD (Liverpool)
22 caps, 3 goals
Age: 23

Current form: Superb. Carried Liverpool into the fourth spot in the Premiership virtually on his own. Has relished the captaincy, a natural leader.

Previous tournaments: Surprise inclusion in Euro 2000 squad and made one substitute's appearance but missed 2002 World Cup with injury.

Portugal prospects: Will start out-of-position on the left of a midfield diamond. Deserves to start in the middle but pragmatism dictates otherwise.

OWEN HARGREAVES (Bayern Munich)
17 caps, 0 goals
Age: 22

Current form: Probably the most energetic, fittest member of the squad, has suffered from a poor start to the season with Bayern but re-found his form after Christmas.

Previous tournaments: Started on the left in the 2002 World Cup, playing two games, but his injury probably enabled England to achieve a more balanced line-up.

Portugal prospects: Midfield under-study. Can also play full-back.

NICKY BUTT (Manchester United)
33 caps, 0 goals
Age: 29

Current form: Poor. Frustrating, indifferent season in a frustrated, indifferent team. Not shown his usual drive of late. Asked for a transfer and will probably, finally, go this summer.

Previous tournaments: Omitted from Euro 2000. Picked out by Pele as a star in the 2002 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: Will probably start at the base of the midfield diamond and be asked to repeat the form of two years ago.

JOE COLE (Chelsea)
15 caps, 2 goals
Age: 22

Current form: First Abramovich signing to gain 50 appearances at Chelsea this season - although half were as substitute. In truth has struggled and is unsettled although, crucially, form has picked up of late. As ever needs to find a role and consistency.

Previous tournaments: Squad member at 2002 World Cup. Used as a substitute.

Portugal prospects: Jack-in-the-box from the bench. May be used as an impact player late on.

PAUL SCHOLES (Manchester United)
60 caps, 13 goals
Age: 29

Current form: Disarmingly frank and admits he is in the team on reputation at present. Still has the knack of scoring crucial goals, such as in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Previous tournaments: Goal-scoring impact during 1998 World Cup but did not shine at Euro 2000 or 2002 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: A definite starter. Highly rated by Eriksson - and every other coach in the tournament.

FRANK LAMPARD (Chelsea)
17 caps, 1 goal
Age: 25

Current form: Remarkable. Both for the level of performance he's maintained and the physical resilience he's shown. Scored goals, created goals, won tackles, led by example. Passing and awareness has improved.

Previous tournaments: None. Missed cut for 2002 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: If anyone is going to break-up the "fab four" then it's him. If form was the only guide he'd be a certainty.

EMILE HESKEY (Liverpool)
40 caps, 5 goals
Age: 26

Current form: As frustrating as ever. Can flit from match-winner to liability but veers maddeningly towards the latter all too often. Does work hard. Remains in the squad because he's the nearest to a target man and can provide a physical threat.

Previous tournaments: Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cup. Did not excel at either .

Portugal prospects: Vies with Rooney as Owen's partner but is likely to lose out.

WAYNE ROONEY (Everton)
11 caps, 3 goals
Age: 18

Current form: Flickered in a poor team at Everton where he often started on the bench. Frustration has been all too evident leading to his temperament being questioned. No doubt over his ability, however, and should shine.

Previous tournaments: None.

Portugal prospects: Depends how bold Eriksson is. Probably deserves, and is likely to get, a start. Some have called for him to play as a lone striker against France.

MICHAEL OWEN (Liverpool)
54 caps, 24 goals
Age: 24

Current form: Disappointing season both on and off the field. Has given the impression that he wants to leave and often looks forlorn. But is still England's most potent striker and a class act.

Previous tournaments: Excelled at 1998 World Cup. Struggled with injury at Euro 2000. Earned dubious penalty against Argentina and scored against Brazil in 2002 World Cup.

Portugal prospects: A certain starter.

DARIUS VASSELL (Aston Villa)
16 caps, 4 goals
Age: 23

Current form: Disappointing. Injuries, and in particular a hamstring problem, have dogged him. Often lacks belief and scores far fewer goals than he should. However his pace is phenomenal.

Previous tournaments: Used in 2002 World Cup, when he was playing his best football.

Portugal prospects: Eriksson appreciates the impact he has made from the bench. Stand-in for Owen but, like Heskey, is fortunate to be in the squad.

STANDBY PLAYERS
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
Richard Wright (Everton)
Matthew Upson (Birmingham)
Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough)
Scott Parker (Chelsea)
Alan Smith (Leeds)