St Albans, Feb 17: Real Madrid's David Beckham hopes that success in Euro 2004 will generate similar excitement to that which greeted the World Cup winning rugby team. Talking before Wednesday's friendly against Portugal, the England captain said: "That's what's great about our country, when you're leading into a competition like this the expectations are so high and people are like ' Yeh, we're going to win ' so I think to do something this time would be extra special considering the scenes after the rugby team and what they achieved, to see that happen in the football scene would be pretty amazing." He added that a good result over Portugal would be a great boost for the squad as it prepares for Euro 2004. Alan Smith of Leeds is back in contention after being dropped over a bottle throwing incident in a club match. Beckham says the door remains open for the young striker, he added : "As the manager said during the week not all places are booked yet for Portugal and any player who will impress will impress in these games,
England , who fly out to Portugal on Tuesday, are due to face France, Switzerland and Croatia in Group B in Euro 2004.


Squad: Goalkeepers: David James (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Leeds United), Chris Kirkland (Liverpool)


Defenders: Danny Mills (Middlesbrough), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Phil Neville (Manchester United), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), John Terry (Chelsea), Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough)


Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Nicky Butt (Manchester United), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle United), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United)


Forwards: Michael Owen (Liverpool), Emile Heskey (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Everton), Alan Smith (Leeds United), Darius Vassell (Aston Villa)


Bureau Report