SCOTLAND, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland might be in international action tonight but, with the start of Euro 2004 just 45 days away, England's players will be sat at home with their feet up.

Perhaps a wise move as they come towards the end of a gruelling domestic season but, by passing up the chance of a friendly fixture this evening, Sven Goran Eriksson has denied his strikers the one thing they need more than a rest at the moment - a goal.

England's strikeforce isn't so much stuttering as the European Championships draw near - it has come to a grinding halt.

Michael Owen will be charged with leading the line when England get their Group B campaign underway against reigning champions France on June 13, but the Liverpool striker will go into the game having endured the least productive nine months of his career.

Owen has scored just eight goals in his last 26 games after suffering a crisis of confidence that threatens to derail England's bid for summer glory.

Whereas he built his reputation with a shoot on sight policy that sprang from an incredible assurance in front of goal, the 24-year-old is now more likely to take the low-risk option of a safe square pass.

His timid penalty misses this season spoke of a striker questioning his own instincts and his Premiership tally of 14 goals has been bettered by such luminaries as Nicolas Anelka and Mikael Forssell - last season he bagged 32 in all competitions.

Eriksson's preferred partner for Owen is Wayne Rooney, but the Everton frontman has been even less productive than his Anfield rival in recent months.

Rooney has found the net just 12 times all season and his progress has been hindered by boss David Moyes' decision to play him on the right of midfield for months at a time.

The teenager's pace and power will cause problems in Portugal, but those attributes will count for little if he fails to put the ball into the back of the net at some stage.

At least Owen and Rooney have been playing though, which is more than can be said of Eriksson's number three striker Emile Heskey.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier finally seems to have lost patience with the shot-shy striker and has relegated him to the bench for his side's last two games.

Darius Vassell is almost certain to complete England's travelling party and, while Aston Villa are on something of a roll at the moment, their fine form has been more to do with Juan Pablo Angel's 21 goals than anything Vassell has done.

Eriksson must be tearing his hair out, and a quick glance at the Premiership top scorers' chart will only enhance his frustration.

There is only one Englishman in the top seven and, whether Eriksson likes it or not, Alan Shearer will not be lining up with three lions on his chest in a little over six weeks' time.

Barring late injury, Owen and Rooney will.

It is to be hoped they find their shooting boots between now and then.