SWP: Teams are scared of us

Shaun Wright-Phillips is adamant that England will be a team to be feared at the World Cup.

England's place in the finals was secured at the weekend via a combination of the 1-0 win over Austria, and Holland's success over Czech Republic.

But though The Three Lions clinched their spot in the World Cup with a game to spare, Sven Goran Eriksson's men have been far from convincing this season.

A woeful performance in the 4-1 friendly defeat to Denmark preceded an insipid display in the qualifying victory over Wales.

The qualification campaign hit a new low in the shock defeat to Northern Ireland before England delivered a lacklustre showing against Austria on Saturday.

Despite the side's present form, Chelsea winger Wright-Phillips is confident that many teams will be worried about facing England at the World Cup.

"A lot of players will look at the team, and see the names lined up, and that will put us on the front foot in certain places where we go," Wright-Phillips told Sky Sports News.

"People might have second thoughts about us rather than reading what they read in the papers. It's down to them."

Wright-Phillips is expected to replace David Beckham for Wednesday's game with Poland, as the England captain is suspended after his sending off against Austria.

Though both teams have already qualified for the World Cup, Wright-Phillips admits that, with top spot still at stake, England will be determined to win.

He added: "We want to be winners, and to be a winner you have to win the group, not just some games.

"We are going to try and win the group when we play Poland. Whoever is in the squad, in the team, will give it 110 percent like we did on Saturday."