By Mark Staniforth, PA Sport

Ian Irwin believes the immense team spirit within the England camp can lift them to golden glory when the boxing competition reaches its conclusion at the MEN Arena tomorrow.

Five English fighters stand one victory away from the top of the podium and victories for them all would eclipse the four golds won in Kuala Lumpur four years ago.

Darran Langley, Darren Barker, Paul Smith, Steven Birch and David Dolan have been roared into their respective finals by their beaten team-mates.

Irwin said: "The team spirit has been as good if not better than any squad I have ever been involved with since I became national coach.

"They have had to learn to live together and train together and cheer for each other.

"Steven Bell has been the best captain I have ever had and he has been an inspiration not only to the other fighters but to the whole support staff."

Irwin's prediction of eight medals might well have come true had heavyweight David Haye not been forced to pull out with an arm injury.

After semi-final defeats for Mark Moran and Andy Morris meant that they claimed silver, England will finish only one away from their initial target with a squad which is not as experienced as Irwin had initially intended.

He added: "Eight medals was a target I set when we wrote the plan towards the end of 2000 and since then half a dozen of our best lads have decided to turn professional.

"We have had to look at the youngsters and fast-track them through. There is no substitute for international experience but they have been learning quickly all the time."

Light-flyweight Darran Langley kicks off England's gold bid with his final against Indian Ali Qamar.

Light-welterweight Darren Barker - who benefited from a walkover in his semi-final - faces Ugandan Mohammed Kayongo.

Liverpool's Paul Smith has a tough task against accomplished Canadian Jean Pascal at light-middle and middleweight Steven Birch takes on Australian Paul Miller.

Super-heavy David Dolan rounds things off with a bout against Canadian David Cadieux - while Welshman Jamie Arthur gets his chance at lightweight against excellent Zambian Dennis Zimba.

Irwin added: "Birch and Langley have matured through the tournament and while Barker and Dolan have had their bits of luck I was confident they would both go through.

"There have been some excellent performances but they know it is not over yet. I have told them all that they cannot be content with silver and they have to go for gold.

"The lads would be disappointed with me if I told them anything else."