Swiss stroll does not come into England’s thinking, says Lescott

Having already beaten Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side in Basle this season, the Three Lions will be expected to add another three points to their Group G tally at Wembley in their attempt to reach Euro 2012.

Switzerland have been handicapped by the loss of two key strikers to retirement and another, Hakan Yakin, has been left out altogether.

Little wonder Fabio Capello’s team are overwhelming favourites to consolidate top spot.

However, Lescott insists nothing will be taken for granted.

“Complacency is not going to be an issue,” said the Manchester City defender.

“None of the boys thinks we just have to step out there to win the game.

“Switzerland are a strong team, so this is a potential banana skin for us.

“We have to implement what the manager wants us to do.”

With Wayne Rooney suspended and Jermain Defoe ruled out by a wrist problem, Capello has an acute lack of striking options available.

Darren Bent is the obvious choice to start up front.

After missing out on a place at the World Cup, Bent has enjoyed a fine year with England, scoring in his last three games.

Capello has noted a step up in standard since his mid-season move to Aston Villa, and Lescott is confident the striker can handle the pressure of being England’s main man.

“Darren Bent is not a replacement for Wayne and Jermain, because he was playing anyway,” said Lescott.

“He is a great goalscorer and has proved that in the Premier League, which I believe to be the toughest in the world.

“Darren is certainly among the best finishers in the league and he iscapable of scoring goals from all ranges.

“I am sure Switzerland will be fearful of him.”

Such is the competition for places in central defence that Lescott can regard it as a mini-triumph just being named in the squad.

To do that he has had to leap above Michael Dawson, who started the win over Wales in March.

Lescott has completed two of England’s four qualifying games, including that first meeting with Switzerland, and won his 13th cap as a half-time substitute against Ghana in March.

However, with Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand available again, he accepts it is going to be tough to force his way in this time around.

“It will be hard,” he said. “You are talking about two of the best players in the world.

“If it was easy to get in the team, we wouldn’t be the force we are at international level.

“But I just want to apply myself well and stay in the Manchester City team next season.

“Playing in the Champions League can only bode well for me when I am called upon.”

Given the frantic end to City’s domestic campaign, Lescott could be forgiven for exhibiting a few signs of exhaustion.

Yet he is showing none. In fact, he is enthused at the knowledge lofty pre-season expectations at Eastlands have been met, with the additional bonus of an end to the club’s 35-year trophy drought.

“I am not tired,” he said. “I am looking forward to a break but overall, it has been an exciting time.

“We won the FA Cup and cemented a Champions League position, which from a personal perspective, has given me massive confidence.

“The season did start off a bit slow but I started to play more regularly towards the second half and we managed to achieve our goals.”

Bent took time off from preparing to face Switzerland to plead with his England and Aston Villa team-mates Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to remain at the Midlands club.

Bent has benefited from the service provided by Manchester United target Young and Downing – linked strongly with Liverpool – since his £18 m move from Sunderland to Villa in January.

Bent said: “I’ve been in both of their ears trying to convince them (Young and Downing) to stay.

“They are two top, top players and, if we can hold onto them next season, it will be fantastic.

“I hope they stay. What is going on in their careers and lives is down to them. But for me, being a striker, you want the best service and they are probably the two best wingers in the league.

“If we can keep hold of them two I will be very, very happy.”

Bent netted nine times in 16 games for Villa and carried that form into the international arena with his goals against Denmark and Wales after breaking his duck in the autumn against Switzerland.

PARKER KEEN TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME

When Scott Parker missed out on last summer’s World Cup finals, he never thought he would play for England again. Now he is determined a place at Euro 2012 will not pass him by.

Parker was dumped from Fabio Capello’s provisional squad for South Africa without getting a single minute in friendlies against Mexico and Japan to press his claims.

He started his first game in four-and-a-half years against Wales in March and says: “My aim is to be there come this time next year.

“The Wales game was a massive chance for me. I felt if I didn’t perform in that game I would not have pulled on an England shirt again. In football, when opportunities come along you have to grab them.”