Progress in England's hands

England coach David Platt believes tonight's match against Portugal in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship is the equivalent of a quarter-final tie because an England victory would make them certain of a place in the last four of the competition.

England far from downbeat
Shrugging aside suggestions that his squad were downbeat after the defeat by Italy on Monday, Platt said they would have settled for this situation before the start of the Switzerland tournament. A point could be enough for England should Italy beat Switzerland.

Progress in England's hands
"We could choose either to be down about the defeat or to be philosophical and I prefer to take the latter route," Platt said. "Italy did not knock us out and we are in a situation where if we beat Portugal we are in the semi-finals. It is then just a question of where we finish, first or second in the group."

Davis suspended
England are without midfielder Sean Davis for the Zurich game after he collected his second booking of the tournament so Charlton Athletic FC's Scott Parker looks certain to be included. Jermaine Pennant and Jermain Defoe should return to the lineup and there could be a first start in the event for Jonathan Greening.

'Delicately poised'
It was Portugal who inflicted Platt's first defeat as England U21 coach in nine games when they won the friendly fixture 1-0 at Stoke in April. On that form their defeat by Switzerland on Monday was a surprise but Platt acknowledged: "The group is delicately poised and any team can beat another."

Viana called up to World Cup squad
Playmaker Hugo Viana has earned a call-up to the Portuguese 2002 FIFA World Cup squad following the decision to send home Daniel Kenedy. Viana, voted the young player of the year by his country's football writers after an impressive season with Portuguese first division winners Sporting Clube de Portugal will fly out to the Far East following tonight's game.

Tiago suspended
Coach Agostinho Oliveira has to make a change in midfield where Tiago is suspended after collecting a second booking. Portugal need to win and then hope that Switzerland lose to Italy to gain their ticket to the next round.