YORK City player-boss Chris Brass is urging Sven-Goran Eriksson to keep faith with Ledley King for England's crucial Group 'B' clash against Switzerland on Thursday.

Brass, who will be among the crowd at Coimbra, is hoping that King continues in defence despite reports that fit-again Chelsea centre-back John Terry will take his place.

The Minstermen chief has even called on Eriksson to abide by the customary "laws of football management" and let King carry on against the Swiss, having witnessed the Spurs defender's display against France on Sunday.

England must win tomorrow's match to keep their Euro 2004 destiny in their own hands and Brass said: "The only possible reason to change things would be if Sven wants to pick what he feels is his best XI but I think Ledley King deserves to stay in. I would stick by him because Sven was pleased with how he played and he will be confident after that display.

"If he isn't picked it might knock his confidence and I think that, following the laws of football management, he deserves to keep his shirt and that's what I would abide by. I think he settled in and kept Thierry Henry quiet, who I regard as the best player in the world.

"The defence was one of my concerns before the Championship started but I don't think any of them put a foot wrong.

"Ledley King grew stronger and stronger. I think the reception he got from the England fans, coupled with the fact that he had a good start, helped him.

"Now, I'm just hoping Sven can pick up morale because we need to remember it was a good performance and I think, given the level of support over here, England will bounce back."

Brass believes the key to a positive response against Switzerland will be learning from the mistakes made against France.

Skipper David Beckham's penalty miss, Emile Heskey's foul on the edge of the penalty box and Steven Gerrard's awful back pass left England fans haunted by Sunday's injury-time 2-1 defeat but Brass said: "Mistakes happen and, at the highest level, are often crucial. They can change games and everything could have hinged on the penalty miss.

"Then there was Emile Heskey's foul and Steven Gerrard's back pass. All game he had looked comfortable in possession and if there was anybody who just hoofed the ball to clear his lines it was him but on the one occasion he did not he got punished.

"We have now got to make sure what happened does not again."

Brass singles out English tormentor Zinedine Zidane as the tournament's outstanding player so far and admits that he was impressed by Sweden's 5-0 thrashing of Bulgaria.

He said: "Henrik Larsson still has a great deal to offer and there's always a team that makes you stand up and take notice. They might be that side in this tournament.

"In terms of players, Zidane was just awesome. He hardly put a foot wrong.

"There were some world class players on the pitch and he looked above them. Teams that win championships normally have the best player, even going back to Maradona and Argentina, so you have to fancy France."

Updated: 11:18 Wednesday, June 16, 2004