Poland's captain Jacek Bak added to the pressure on James by revealing that his team plan to take advantage of any nerves he might have if he does keep his place in the starting line-up.
He said: "Every chance we get we must shoot from long distance. We saw what James did on Saturday and we must give him the opportunity to make those same errors against us and put him under pressure.
"But we also know we must play until the 90th minute and we must not stop if we go a goal down. England's game in Austria shows that we can win and that every good team can be beaten."
If James plays, the move could backfire dramatically unless the Manchester City player and his England teammates repay the loyalty Eriksson has shown them with a convincing display.
Anything less than a victory will lead to fresh calls for the FA to sack him, even though it could cost them more than £9million in compensation.
The England coach remains defiant, however, insisting that when players make mistakes he will drop them. He said: "Being loyal to the players, there is nothing wrong with that, but if the player deserves to be dropped, then I will drop him."
Chelsea's Wayne Bridge, who suffered an Achilles injury in Vienna, has recovered and looks certain to keep his place on the left side of midfield.
Today Arsenal's Ashley Cole said his new partnership with Bridge got off to an encouraging start in Vienna. He said: "I think it went well. It's only the second time we have played together. We both got forward and we both really enjoyed it."
Before the match, he added, Eriksson had told him just to attack the Austrian defence. He said: "It was the best thing I've ever heard - he said 'attack'! I was happy with the role and I'm happy with how we played together. We train together so he [Bridge] knows how I play. He knows when I am going and fills in for me and I of course fill in for him. We communicate well."
England probable: James or Robinson, G Neville, A Cole, Terry, King, Beckham (cpt), Gerrard, Lampard, Bridge, Owen, Defoe.
