Butt faces a tough clash with Tofting

By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

England head into Saturday's World Cup clash with Denmark knowing that there is no margin for error.

Last Friday's superb victory over Argentina has given Sven-Goran Eriksson's side the belief that they can progress in the competition, but results such as the draws they earned against Sweden and Nigeria will not be good enough from now on.

Denmark must be beaten, and Eriksson's men will have to win a series of battles if they are to book their place in the quarter-finals.

NICKY BUTT v STIG TOFTING

A mouth-watering clash between two men who will not take a backward step, the clash between Butt and Tofting could be key.

Both men will be asked to disrupt their opponents while at the same time having to share the burden of linking with the frontmen.

Butt, who missed the opening game against Sweden through injury, has been outstanding since, while Tofting proved himself in the Premiership with Bolton at the end of last season and has gone from strength to strength with his country.

ASHLEY COLE v DENNIS ROMMEDAHL

Question marks were placed over Cole's defensive qualities in the run-up to the finals, but he has so far not looked out of place on the left side of a back four which has grown in confidence as the tournament has progressed.

There is no denying that the Arsenal man is most dangerous going forward, but the extent to which he will be able to do that against the Danes will depend on how well he can pin Rommedahl back into his own half.

The 23-year-old PSV Eindhoven winger has demonstrated his blistering pace already, feeding his strikers from wide positions and getting into the penalty area himself to score the first goal in his side's 2-0 win over France.

MICHAEL OWEN v NICLAS JENSEN

Owen is yet to have the impact on this World Cup that he did at the last, but there is a growing feeling that he is ready to explode into life.

Chances have been few and far between so far, but he has looked most dangerous when dropping deep and running at defenders.

Manchester City's Jensen has starred at the heart of a miserly Danish back four, but his side's hopes could rest on how effectively they deal with Owen's lightning pace, provided that he gets the right kind of service.