FORMER Saints defender Mark Wright performed heroically for England in European Championship and World Cup campaigns and warned: "If you don't do your job at the back in these games, you're on on a hiding to nothing."

The ex-Dell man has no worries about England as an attacking force at Euro 2004 - but harbours fears about the rearguard, even before John Terry's injury scare.

The Chester City boss said: "If we get it right defensively in Portugal, we can go all the way because I don't think we'll have a problem scoring goals out there.

"Apart from Owen, people like Gerrard, Scholes, Beckham, Lampard and, of course, Rooney, are all capable of getting goals as well as creating them for you.

"I have no fears for England on that score."

But Wright, speaking before he knew the extent of Terry's injury, admitted a tinge of worry about the defence.

"We've lost a couple of centre halves, but we still have John Terry and Sol Campbell and they are two of the best in the business. I just hope they steer clear of trouble.

"But I'm worried that of our three goalkeepers, two (Robinson and Walker) got relegated and the other (James) just about stayed up.

"But David James on his day can be the complete goalkeeper. He can come for crosses, he's agile and he's vocal.

"If he can do all of those things right together, we'll be okay."

Wright speaks from experience when he says: "Coming through the group is often the most difficult thing of all. If England do that, they will be a match for most of them in the knock-out stages."

Wright is also predicting Germany's exit at the group stage and tips the Czech Republic as dark horses.

But he added: "I've fancied Spain and Portugal all along."