England need to put a week of off-field turmoil behind them if they are to deny Turkey an historic victory on Saturday and secure their place at Euro 2004.

England only boarded their plane for the decisive Group Seven qualifier after averting an unprecedented player boycott, triggered by anger at the Football Association's decision to drop defender Rio Ferdinand for missing a drugs test.

Though the players finally caved in after two days of talks, the result has been a deep rift between the team and their ruling body.

With the FA refusing its ticket allocation and urging fans to stay away on Saturday in the interests of crowd safety and England's football future, the crisis has only added to the existing tension.

A point clear at the top of the group, England need only a draw to secure automatic qualification for next year's tournament in Portugal. Turkey, who have never even scored against England, must win. Otherwise they enter the playoffs.

But just as much attention will be focused on matters off the pitch as on it.

England's 2-0 win over the Turks last April in Sunderland was marred by arrests outside the ground, pitch invasions and racist chants, prompting UEFA to warn that Sven-Goran Eriksson's men could be kicked out of the tournament if there was any more trouble.

The FA's ticket decision also reflected a bitter rivalry between the fans. Two Leeds United supporters were stabbed to death before a UEFA Cup tie in Istanbul in 2000.

The result is that tight security should prevent any England fans reaching Fenerbahce's stadium, which promises a reception every bit as passionate for the hosts as it will be hostile for the visitors.

On the pitch England's hopes have been dented by the withdrawal of injured striker Michael Owen from their biggest game since the 2002 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Brazil.

MISSING OWEN

Ominously, since their previous number one striker Alan Shearer retired after Euro 2000, England have not won a game in which Owen has failed to start.

He will probably be replaced by Liverpool team mate Emile Heskey alongside 17-year-old Wayne Rooney, who caused Turkey major problems in Sunderland, although Eriksson may opt to play a lone attacker.

Either way, captain David Beckham will need another inspired performance in midfield if England are to avoid the defeat that would leave them in next month's playoffs.

Turkey trail 31-0 on aggregate after eight defeats and a draw in their nine previous encounters with England but they are the most improved side in European football and were World Cup semi-finalists last year.

In contrast to England, Senol Gunes's Turkey have enjoyed a relatively serene buildup.

Experienced striker Hakan Sukur should start alongside Nihat Kahveci after recovering from a minor knee problem, with Besiktas striker Ilhan Mansiz on the bench.

Ilhan's club mate in midfield, Sergen Yalcin, is a doubt after a leg injury in training.

Probable teams

Turkey: Rustu Recber; Fatih Akyel, Bulent Korkmaz, Alpay Ozalan, Ibrahim Uzulmez; Umit Davala, Emre Belozoglu, Tugay Kerimoglu, Ergun Penbe; Hakan Sukur, Nihat Kahveci.

England: David James; Gary Neville, John Terry, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole; David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard; Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey

Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).