Unhappy Chapi's not scored for 20 hours

Serious questions must be asked if the Young Boys forward somehow puts the ball in the back of the net against England.

Most great strikers have been through the odd bad patch during their career and even the prolific Jurgen Klinsmann once went 853 minutes without scoring for Germany. But few leading strikers would keep their place in the team without delivering-what they are paid for. So how does Chapuisat do it?

His reputation is a key factor. When he was at Dortmund, Chapuisat notched up an average of more than a goal every two games in 228 matches for the club. He guided the German side to the 1997 European Cup.

After making his international debut against Brazil in June 1989, Chapuisat has scored 21 goals for his country and appeared at the 1994 World Cup and at Euro 96 when the Swiss drew 1-1 with England at Wembley in the group stage.

Chapuisat is by far the most experienced player in the squad with 102 caps. He has already announced his retirement from international football-after the finals. Manager Koebi Kuhn admits none of his strikers is scoring enough goals - a 1-0 victory against Liechtenstein just before the tournament and Saturday's goalless draw with Croatia at Euro 2004 provided clear evidence of that.

There is no doubt that Chapuisat has lost a crucial few yards of the pace that made him so dangerous in his heyday.

But surely he should have scored one of the five the Swiss put past Slovenia in February last year or grabbed one in the 3-2 defeat of Albania the following June?

However, Kuhn claims the veteran has great creative qualities that make him an excellent provider for strike partner Alexander Frei. The 24-year-old Frei, of French side Rennes, has scored five times in Switzerland's eight qualifying games.

The manager said: "He is an important leader, an example to the whole team and his calm approach has a huge impact on the side."

It is true Chapuisat has always been a composed and quiet character off the pitch who remains popular in a country not known for its extravagant and eccentric figures.

Speedy 18-year-old Johann Vonlanthen, who has been compared with Michael Owen, could even get on against England since Chapuisat usually gets substituted in the second half.

So, given all these problems up front, have Switzerland got a real chance of beating England and clinching their first victory at the finals?

Chapuisat is in no doubt they have. He said: "It is going to be tough but we are just going to have to pull off a sensational win because it is the only way we can get through. England and France are the top favourites in the group but everything is possible in one game.

"We know England are a super side but we have nothing to lose."