The boss told the players named in his 23-man squad today that they will need to strain every sinew to secure their progress to the knockout stages.

But he did at least give fans some cause for celebration, by dismissing rumours he plans to return to club management after the summer showpiece following the media treatment over his reported affair with fellow Swede Ulrika Jonsson.

Asked if his side could win the World Cup, Eriksson said: ‘‘Those are big words to use. I’m happy with my squad and confident we’ll have a good World Cup. I’ve been looking forward to it for 15 months - it’s the biggest stage of all.

‘‘In England, maybe we are one of the favourites - but outside this country, we are not. I think we can be one of the dark horses.

‘‘We know our main objective is to survive the first three games. We don’t want to look at playing just three games at the World Cup, but our group is difficult.

‘‘Let’s try with every strength we have to survive the first three games and then, anything is possible.

Quizzed about the spate of reports that the giants of European football are lining him up as their next manager, Eriksson added: ‘‘I don’t know what the speculation has been, because at certain stages during the last weeks, it’s been better for me not to read the papers.

‘‘I’ve always said that I have a contract after the World Cup. Of course I want to stay as manager of England which has always been my wish as long as (Football Association chief executive) Adam Crozier doesn’t throw me out!’’