James Beattie is preparing himself for the "cauldron atmosphere" of England's vital Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey and told Sven-Goran Eriksson: "I won't let you down."

The 25-year-old Saints hitman, who has already won four caps and scored an incredible 29 times in his last 37 Premiership starts, could be thrust into the starting line-up with major fitness doubts still surrounding Michael Owen.

Eriksson has again delayed the naming of his squad, but Beattie is certain to be included, alongside Emile Heskey, Darius Vassell, Wayne Rooney - and then Owen or his replacement.

England need just a point against Turkey on Saturday to qualify for the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal next summer and Beattie, pictured, is up for the challenge.

He said: "It's been a great start to the season (for me) and, if I'm called upon to play a part, then I'm sure I won't let anybody down.

"I'm hopeful I can play. It's a game I'd love to play in and I'm sure if Mr Eriksson decides to pick me, however I'm involved, I will give it my best.

"Personally I'd love to walk out in that sort of cauldron atmosphere - that would really wind me up for the game. It will be tremendous occasion - I'm really looking forward to it and I just hope I'm involved as I'd love to be playing.

"I'm excited - it's such a massive match with all the hype surrounding it and the atmosphere - that would only spur me on and it would be quality to play in that."

Beattie is desperate for England to get through to next summer's finals - not just to satisfy his own personal ambitions but because he is also a patriotic Englishman.

The star striker, who this time last season hadn't scored for Saints at all, as always dreamed of playing for his country in the big matches - even when he had already won his first cap.

He admitted: "I remember watching the England games and thinking 'I hope one day I play'.

"And, when I walked out against Liechtenstein for my first competitive start, my first 90 minutes, it was a great moment for myself.

"After the first game I played against Australia I was dropped and I watched the other game against Liechtenstein when they played out there on the TV, so I've seen it from both sides.

"Then I was just a fan again, so when they scored I was jumping up and down because I'm very patriotic."