Gerrard sees Switzerland as England threat

England began their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign still smarting from their FIFA World Cup disappointment but after defeating Bulgaria 4-0 on Friday, they now have their sights set on taking control of Group G in Switzerland.

Should England win in Basel, they will have beaten the teams seeded second and third in their pool, putting them on course to make up for missing out on the European finals two years ago, as well as their 4-1 last-16 loss to Germany in South Africa. However, as captain Steven Gerrard pointed out, it will not be easy against the nation that inflicted the only defeat of Spain's otherwise perfect World Cup triumph.

"Internationals away from home are always going to be difficult," Gerrard said. "I think Switzerland showed at the World Cup what a good side they are by beating Spain, so we have to perform at the same level as [against Bulgaria], and we want that result."

Gerrard, who on Saturday made a short appearance in his Liverpool FC team-mate Jamie Carragher's testimonial, was delighted by how things went against Bulgaria despite the absence through injury of fellow midfielder Frank Lampard, regular skipper Rio Ferdinand and his defensive partner John Terry. That situation was compounded when Michael Dawson, covering for Ferdinand and Terry, twisted his knee in the second half, ruling him out on Tuesday.

Nonetheless, a Jermain Defoe hat-trick and a strike from substitute Adam Johnson meant that Gerrard and Co left Wembley to a delighted ovation. Gerrard had special praise for Defoe. "He took his goals superbly," said the 30-year-old. "You know if you create chances with the likes of Rooney and Defoe they are going to put it in the back of the net, and I thought he was lethal tonight. Hopefully the same can happen on Tuesday."

That game could bring a first start for Gary Cahill, who made an unexpected debut at centre-back when Dawson was injured with England 1-0 up. The Bolton Wanderers FC defender, 24, already had Wembley international experience having made his U21 bow in the opening game at the new stadium against Italy in 2007, and is well aware of what games like that in Switzerland entail.

"In a way you get more time on the ball but the mistakes are punished," Cahill said. "In international football you make a mistake, there's a great chance it could be a goal. That aside, I think you get a lot of time on the ball and I enjoyed it. It was brilliant."