Platt's high hopes for England

Success for England is long overdue at Under-21 level but coach David Platt knows that if his side are to make a serious impact in the UEFA European Championship they must do it the hard way.

Late surge
In a sense Platt's team mirror their England seniors who have been revitalised under Sven-Göran Eriksson's tutelage. Impressive late results in the qualifying campaign secured their place in the two-week event and the challenge now is to build on that improvement when it matters most.

Group of death
Confidence will be tempered, however, by the fact that the young England team are joined in Group 1 by the holders Italy, winners of four of the last five tournaments and favourites to continue their exemplary run of success. The two other teams standing between England and a semi-final berth are Portugal, whose timing in winning a friendly in England in April was impressive, and Switzerland. The host nation are sure to punch above their weight and, in any case, cannot be overlooked having qualified without losing a game.

Six shooters
That Portugal reverse was Platt's first in nine games since taking over from Howard Wilkinson in July 2001. His squad includes six strikers, of whom Alan Smith of Leeds United AFC has experience of the full England squad. But the loss of Michael Carrick, whose goal in the play-off second leg against the Netherlands sent England through, is a major blow.

Two to be missed
The West Ham United FC midfielder aggravated a groin injury completing the FA Premiership season last weekend, while the injured Tottenham Hotspur FC central defender Ledley King will also be missed. Jonathan Greening of Middlesbrough FC has been called up for Carrick.

Senior summons
Gareth Barry of Aston Villa FC also has experience of the senior team but Platt's hopes of calling on the likes of Joe Cole, Danny Mills, Wayne Bridge and Wes Brown were quashed by their selection for the FIFA World Cup. Recurring injuries to England's midfield department could still lead to a senior summons for the likes of Smith and David Dunn, who is due to captain the Switzerland party.

New faces
Among the new faces are Bobby Zamora, whose goals have led Brighton & Hove Albion FC to a second successive promotion in English football's bottom two professional divisions. Peter Crouch has just two caps to his name but has caught the eye since joining Aston Villa FC in March.

'We can win'
Platt said: "This is an excellent squad and one I am delighted to be taking to Switzerland. We have vast potential and now is the time to realise it. Everyone is saying that we've got the best crop of youngsters that we've ever had. I could burden myself by saying that we will win the tournament but I look at my squad and think that we can win it. I want the lads to believe it because I believe it."