Coventry City goalkeeper Magnus Hedman is hoping to turn the tables of England skipper Alan Shearer and make himself an unpopular figure in his adopted country.

Hedman has identified Shearer as one of the key men in England’s European Championship campaign, but admits he has a score to settle with the prolific striker.

He said:

"He is very strong and is a real all round player, he has scored some goals past me this season when I have been playing for Coventry City – but hopefully that will not happen on Saturday!

"But seriously we do not want to give him too many chances because he will take them when they appear.

"The Manchester United players will also be a threat because they know each other very well, especially David Beckham because if you give him too much time he will put in great crosses for Cole and Shearer."

And the 26-year-old Swedish keeper believes that if he does keep England out then the Sky Blues will have a played a big part.

He said:

"I have definitely improved my game a lot since I came to Coventry, the pace of the game is quicker and there are a lot more world class players.

"The training is also more focused. Back home I used to have goalkeeping coaching for an hour once of twice a week, but at Coventry I am working with Jim Blyth every morning."

Hedman, who broke into the Swedish national team after joining City two years ago, happily accepts that England will be the favourites when the teams stride out at Wembley on Saturday.

"To be honest I don’t think anyone expects us to win, the pressure is on England because everyone sees them as a great footballing team, and they see Sweden as a small country that have had a good run recently.

"Even though we are five points ahead in the group we do not see ourselves as favourites, we see this game as a big challenge for all of us - we have nothing to lose."