England v Switzerland preview

England can take another significant step towards qualifying for Euro 2012 with victory over Switzerland.

Bent to lead line with Rooney ruled out as Ferdinand returns

England can take another significant step towards qualifying for the Euro 2012 finals with victory over Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday.

Fabio Capello's players have had to delay their summer holiday plans for one final fixture before the curtain falls on the 2010/11 season.

The Three Lions currently lead Group G on goal difference from Montenegro, with their rivals in action later in the day when they play host to Bulgaria.

Ottmar Hitzfeld's Switzerland, who stunned World Cup winners Spain in South Africa but failed to progress to the last 16, were expected to be England's main challengers to qualify.

But a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Capello's men back in September and a 1-0 reverse away to Montenegro the following month appear to have put paid to those ambitions.

England's only blemish on an impressive record as they look to rebuild a reputation which was left in tatters by their dismal displays in South Africa is their 0-0 home draw with Montenegro in October.

Their most recent outing saw Capello's side cruise to a 2-0 victory away to Wales, while they began their campaign with a 4-0 home drubbing of Bulgaria.

Responsibility

Capello will, however, be without his most potent attacking weapon against the Swiss as star striker Wayne Rooney is ruled out through suspension, while Jermain Defoe was not replaced in the squad after he withdrew through injury.

The burden of goalscoring responsibility will now fall on the shoulders of Darren Bent, who found the net against Wales and away to Switzerland, while Peter Crouch and Bobby Zamora are the other options.

Former captain Rio Ferdinand has returned to the squad and he is expected to join skipper John Terry in the heart of the defence with Michael Dawson surprisingly left out of the party.

Jack Wilshere was controversially left out of the England Under-21 party for the European Championship finals this summer over fears of burn-out, but is expected to take his place in central midfield alongside Scott Parker and Frank Lampard.

There are some new faces in the Switzerland squad for the clash at Wembley with veteran strikers Alexander Frei and Marco Streller having called time on their international careers.

Hitzfeld has called up 22-year-old Innocent Emeghara and 20-year-old Admir Mehmedi and the young duo could be thrust into action, with Eren Derdiyok another option.

Teenager Granit Xhaka has been tipped to start in midfield and Gokhan Inler is expected to replace Frei as captain.