If Switzerland are going to upset England in today's Group B clash they are going to have to achieve something only one of their countrymen has ever done in the European Championships - score a goal.

The penalty scored by Kubilay Turkyilmaz in the 1-1 draw against England in the opening match of Euro '96 remains the one success for the Swiss.

In Alexander Frei, however, at last they have a striker they believe can supply the strike power they need to cause England serious problems.

The 24-year-old Rennes forward was the surprise package in the French league last season, scoring 20 goals to finish runner-up to Liverpool-bound Djibril Cisse in the scoring charts and in front of Marseille's Didier Drogba.

Tonight the expectations of Switzerland's six million population, about the size of Scotland, rest at his feet.

''You haven't seen the best of the Swiss team yet,'' said Frei, whose natural optimism has shone all week at the plush Swiss training camp 60 miles north of Lisbon.

''Why not beat England? We can do it. We've improved.''

They will have to improve some more on the the battling but insipid goalless draw against Croatia in their opening game if they are going to overcome an England side driven by the injustice they feel they were dealt in their dramatic injury-time defeat against France.

Frei was instrumental in helping the Swiss to top their qualifying group with five goals, including a double against Russia.

The highlight of his season, however, came in March when he put four goals past France keeper Fabien Barthez in Rennes' 4-3 win over Marseille.

Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn is likely to keep faith with his veteran striking partner Stephane Chapuisat even though the 35-year-old has not scored for his country for almost two years. Johan Vonlanthen stands by, hoping to make what he terms a ''joker'' contribution from the bench.

''In the last game we had some problems with the efficiency of our finishing but I'm sure against England we will score,'' said Kuhn.

''Remember against Croatia we had to struggle with ten men but my team were excellent and we are looking forward with excitement to the match. We need to score and I think we will.

''We'll be more relaxed, it's the English whose nerves will be strained.''

Fabio Celestini, born in Lausanne of Italian parents, will replace the suspended Johann Vogel.

Vogel was sent off for two bookable offences in the goalless draw against Croatia but Celestini, who featured in Marseille's UEFA Cup run last season, is a natural replacement in the centre of midfield.