IT was just over a week ago, well before England had again proved their ability to rise to the big occasion in Istanbul, that Sven-Goran Eriksson was asked whether his side had progressed since the World Cup.

''I think that we are better, especially in the second half of games, and, if we have very few injuries, we have a very good football team,'' he declared.

No wonder, therefore, that Eriksson is now looking ahead with even more confidence to the Euro 2004 finals. After all, England reached the quarter-finals in Japan and South Korea and, of course, Brazil will not bar their path in Portugal.

However, the England coach will nevertheless still now have to prove that his side have progressed since the World Cup if they realistically want to challenge for honours next summer.

England have so far been ranked as fourth favourites, rated as 7-1 shots behind France at 4-1, Italy at 11-2 and hosts Portugal at 6-1.

Those are probably fair odds and the next eight months, in which Eriksson will have probably five friendlies in which to work with his players, must be used to perfect his starting line-up.

Many players will still hope to force their way into his final plans, but injuries permitting, the England coach already knows at least three-quarters of his final squad.

So while there is time left for experimentation, the next few months must also be about fine-tuning his starting line-up. At the 2002 World Cup, England boasted one of the best defences, with Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand both performing admirably and they will have to recapture that level of form in Portugal. Campbell was a colossal figure in Istanbul, where ironically Ferdinand was hardly missed as John Terry showed his own strong credentials for a regular starting place.

Eriksson, with Jonathan Woodgate, Matthew Upson and Gareth Southgate up his sleeve, therefore has strong options in that area even if he could badly do with Ferdinand back to his best.

At full-back, Gary Neville barely has a convincing rival beyond his brother Phil, while Danny Mills will struggle to make the final squad, for all of Eriksson's faith.

Ashley Cole, meanwhile, has a real battle on his hands to keep hold of the left-back spot and Wayne Bridge stands by to get another chance to impress.

In goal, David James has effectively confirmed himself as David Seaman's successor, although Paul Robinson must be given further experience before the finals.

In midfield, meanwhile, Eriksson has also largely found his answer, with Steven Gerrard's versatility having answered the left-sided problem.

It is not necessarily a natural solution, but it will certainly do for now amid a diamond formation.

Frank Lampard is desperately unlucky to miss out on a starting place, but Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes remain the first-choice central pairing, with David Beckham on the right.

Owen Hargreaves and Kieron Dyer, meanwhile, provide back-up, with Eriksson also favouring the Newcastle midfielder in a deep-lying striker's role. Indeed, he has twice used Dyer there instead of an out-and-out striker, such as James Beattie, who did not even make the bench in Istanbul.

Put simply, Eriksson likes pace. In fact, he does not just like it, he absolutely reveres it. And so, despite his avalanche of Premiership goals, Beattie cannot be assured of his place at Euro 2004. Darius Vassell is one of his main rivals, while Jermain Defoe could be the possible outsider in the final squad and Alan Smith will have to respond manfully over the next few months to revive his international career.

However, the main issue over the next few months should concern Michael Owen's best strike partner.

Presumably, Wayne Rooney is Eriksson's preferred solution and, if so, the teenager must be given as much experience as possible - whatever the concerns of his club manager, David Moyes.

Instead of being confronted by the play-offs in November, England will face top-class European opposition, with the Czech Republic having been mooted - as Sven's preparations step up a gear.