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Tue, Apr

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SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON will be running the rule over Stern John tonight when Trinidad and Tobago take on Iceland in their first World Cup warm-up.


The England manager is expected to either attend the game or have a scout at Loftus Road to watch the Soca Warriors in action ahead of the finals when the two nations come face to face in the group stages.

Coventry City striker John is keen to put on a good show to continue his excellent current form, but is more concerned about impressing his own boss, Leo Beenhakker, to ensure his place in his country's starting line-up.

"Hopefully I can take my form into the game and get a goal for Trinidad and really cement my place in the starting line-up for my country," said the 29-year-old who is T&T's main threat with 61 goals in 91 international appearances.

"The gaffer starts every game with a blank piece of paper so every player has to show what they are worth in every game.

"I know I have to do my best to make sure I don't miss the bus to Germany."

And John is particularly looking forward to playing for his country at a time when he is enjoying his football at his club - which is in stark contrast to the last time he turned out for Trinidad when he was on loan at Derby County.

"The manager has always known what I can do and he showed faith in me when I wasn't having the best of times at Derby earlier in the season," he said, "so I am looking forward to enjoying myself against Iceland and showing the lads that I am in really good form.

"My goal record has been really good in the World Cup qualifiers and I think I have scored maybe 70-80 per cent of the goals to qualify, so it is a good ratio and hopefully I can take that into the competition in the summer."

The England game is obviously the big one as far as John and his compatriots are concerned, and it is one in which he would clearly like to make a lasting impression.

"The England game is the one match that sticks out for us because most of the Trinidad lads live and play their football in England," he said.

"I am sure everyone will rise to the challenge and want to do particularly well in that one."