SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON declared Paul Scholes to be "irreplaceable" as he prepared to throw the fit-again midfielder back into the heart of his side to face Switzerland today.

Eriksson may have shifted formation to a flat midfield against France last Sunday, having witnessed the success of the tactics in the final warm-up game against Iceland.

However, he has been weighing up a move back to his midfield diamond against the Swiss, even though the system was unconvincing in a 1-1 draw against Japan.

That would mean Frank Lampard reverting to the holding role, with Steven Gerrard replacing Scholes on the left flank and the Manchester United midfielder being restored to the attacking tip.

Eriksson used that system in training yesterday after being relieved to see Scholes come through a fitness test on a twisted ankle as he looks to end a three-year international scoring drought.

"I am sure he will be fit. He did everything, even shooting, and he seems okay," revealed Eriksson, who is also set to recall John Terry at expense of Ledley King.

"He has been criticised sometimes for not scoring goals for a long time for us but he's a big football player and he makes the whole midfield with his long and short passes.

"He's always been important for us. We don't have another player with the same characteristics, that would be impossible to find."

Eriksson has warned Switzerland to expect a wounded side bent on revenge, but has also cautioned his players not to over-exert themselves in the early stages.

After all, while he believes that they can cope with anticipated temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit better than they did at the 2002 World Cup, they must still modify their approach appropriately.

"If you think that you can only attack with everything you have, then it's a big mistake as the Swiss are very good on the break," said Eriksson.

"You have to be organised, concentrated, and show discipline. Otherwise, you gamble and that is not very good to do in football.

"I don't want to see too many long balls, they should keep it. It would be very dangerous to under-estimate Switzerland as they have nothing to lose.

"We must win and we will only do that if we show discipline, concentration and a great will."

Eriksson is refusing to contemplate the worst scenario of defeat, which would eliminate England.

He said: "I am not going to be thinking about defeat before the game - I have never done that and never will.

"We will attack and be very aggressive to win the ball early right from the start - even if the weather is against it.

"We'll take them on as high up the pitch as possible until we get a hold of the game, because you can't do that against any team for 90 minutes. It would be too costly."