PAUL STURROCK remains confident Swedish rock Michael Svensson WILL be fit for Euro 2004.

Svensson, who has not started for Saints since the 2-0 win against Liverpool in Sturrock's first match as manager back in March, is now being looked after by the Swedish national team as he races to be fit for the European Championships next month.

The 28-year-old first injured his ankle during the warm-up at Fratton Park on March 21, but is now recovering from a bruised knee which was sustained in training.

"Michael is under the Swedish medical team, they are liasing with our medical team to enable him to get ready for the European Championships," said Sturrock.

"Our medical team are quite comfortable that is what's happening and there is a daily contact with him.

"He has got severe bruising with his knee, there doesn't seem to be much else, but that bruising takes time to come out of the knee.

"We are very hopeful that is all it is and I'm sure he will be a great success in the European Championships.

"The surgeons had a wee look and we don't think there is anything severe in there.

"If it doesn't get better we will obviously discuss it again, but at this juncture we are happy and the rest will do him the world of good."

Svensson, who has won 25 international caps, the last against Latvia in October of last year, was clearly missed for Saints in the closing weeks of the season, with the team shipping 18 goals in their final ten games - an average of almost a goal a game more than when the Swede was playing.

Svensson, along with St Mary's colleague Anders Svensson, was named in the Swedish Euro 2004 squad almost a fortnight ago - they were the first country to reveal their 23-man squad.

Apart from Michael Svensson, the Swedes also have doubts over Johan Mjallby and Marcus Allback.