Eriksson hails Rooney

"For a 17-year-old boy, two games and goals, and playing good football, he's started his international career in an excellent way," Eriksson told a news conference. "And for sure, we'll see him score for England and Everton in the future. If he goes on playing like this, it's very difficult to leave him out (of the Turkey game)."

Rooney's goal in Skopje made him England's youngest ever goalscorer, while Wednesday's came with his seventh cap in a career that only started in February.

England now top Group Seven by a point from the Turks and need only a draw on October 11 in Istanbul to qualify for Euro 2004, and send their hosts into the playoffs.

Eriksson compared the stakes with their 2002 World Cup qualifier against Germany in Munich, which England won 5-1.

"Going to Germany in one way was more or less the same because if we'd lost we could never have won the group," said the Swede. "It will probably be hotter in Turkey, and not only the weather.

Potential injuries to key players are now Eriksson's main concern.

"The only thing to be worried about now is will we have fit players in a month or not?" he said.

Liechtenstein coach Walter Hoermann, unhappy with his defence on the left side, the source of both goals, was not optimistic about England's chances in Istanbul.

Hoermann, whose side lost 3-0 to Senol Gunes's men last weekend, said: "Turkey were very, very creative and, although I wish England the best, I think it's going to be very difficult for them to get a point."