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Wednesday June 7, 2000, 11:57 AM London Time
Defensive qualities likely to give Wise his place
By Ken Dyer


Dennis Wise's ability to defend appears to have tipped the balance the Chelsea captain's way as the countdown to England's opening Euro 2000 match gathers pace.

The tournament starts this Saturday with England's first match against Portugal in Eindhoven on Monday.

England coach Kevin Keegan has said he knows his team already and, although he will not announce it until just before the kickoff, there is a growing feeling that Wise will play.

It looks certain that Keegan will go for a 4-4-2 formation, with one of the few areas of debate being who plays on the left of mid-field, in front of Manchester United's Phil Neville.

Keegan has been impressed by the form of Everton's Nick Barmby in the warm-up matches but the Everton player is unlikely to get the vote ahead of either Wise or Steve McManaman for the game against Portugal.

McManaman would give Keegan more attacking options but, despite the England coach's instinct to attack, he looks likely to decide on a solid formation, which would favour Wise and Paul Ince.

England must subdue the explosive Luis Figo if they are to make a positive start and there is no doubt that Wise, who saw the Portuguese star at close quarters in two Champions League matches against Barcelona last season, is defensively more adept than McManaman.

Keegan said: 'If everyone is fit - and they are at the moment - I know the 11 players who will start against Portugal. I've had it in my head for a long time, my ideal team.'

That starting line-up is certain to include Arsenal's Tony Adams, despite the fact that he once again missed training when the squad met at their Buck-inghamshire headquarters.

Adams has figured in only one of England's three warm-up matches, the victory over Ukraine a week ago, and was missing when the squad had a physical session at Bisham Abbey.

The experienced Arsenal captain prefers to protect his suspect back by following his own regime but it could be too much to expect him to play in three matches in eight days.

Keegan will want the inspirational Adams to figure in both Monday's match against Portugal and the game against Germany five days later. If, by then, England were already certain of a quarter-final spot, Adams could be rested for the final group match against Romania.