England and Ukraine are separated by just a point as they meet one another in Donetsk for their final Euro 2012 Group D match.

A draw for England will guarantee qualification, yet victory - and by a superior margin than France's result against Sweden - will see them win the group.

Italy await for Roy Hodgson's side should they win Group D, with Spain the opponents should England end up in second spot.

Ukraine's tired display under the eye of the storm against the French hinted at a side who had poured all their excursions into the opening victory against Sweden. Andriy Shevchenko is a major doubt, and any appearance he does make is unlikely to be at optimum fitness.

So with that in mind, here's five reasons for English optimism...

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• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  A Spanish fan in the stands prior to kick-off

• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  A Spanish in the stands prior to kick-off

• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  Spanish fans in the stands prior to kick-off

• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  Spanish fans in the stands prior to kick-off

• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  A Spanish fan shows her support in the stands prior to kick-off

• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  A Croatian fan prior to kick-off

• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  A Croatian fan prior to kick-off

• Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia v Spain - Arena Gdansk

  A Croatian fan prior to kick-off

• Croatia v Spain - Group C: UEFA EURO 2012

  GDANSK, POLAND - JUNE 18: Football fans take a photograph during the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Croatia and Spain at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

• Czech Republic v Poland - Group A: UEFA EURO 2012

  WROCLAW, POLAND - JUNE 16: A Poland fan on during the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Czech Republic and Poland at The Municipal Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

• A Polish fan is pictured before the Euro

  A Polish fan is pictured before the Euro 2012 championships football match between the Czech Republic and Poland on June 16, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages)

• A Polish fan is pictured before the Euro

  A Polish fan is pictured before the Euro 2012 championships football match between the Czech Republic and Poland on June 16, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages)

• A Polish football fan poses before the E

  A Polish football fan poses before the Euro 2012 championships football match between the Czech Republic and Poland on June 16, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Czech Republic v Poland - Group A: UEFA EURO 2012

  WROCLAW, POLAND - JUNE 16: A Poland fan enjoys the atmopshere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Czech Republic and Poland at The Municipal Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

• Czech Republic v Poland - Group A: UEFA EURO 2012

  WROCLAW, POLAND - JUNE 16: A Poland fan enjoys the atmopshere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Czech Republic and Poland at The Municipal Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

• A Polish fan waves before the Euro 2012

  A Polish fan waves before the Euro 2012 championships football match between the Czech Republic and Poland on June 16, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• A Polish fan is pictured before the Euro

  A Polish fan is pictured before the Euro 2012 championships football match between the Czech Republic and Poland on June 16, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Czech Republic v Poland - Group A: UEFA EURO 2012

  WROCLAW, POLAND - JUNE 16: A Poland fan enjoys the atmopshere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Czech Republic and Poland at The Municipal Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

• Danish fans wait ahead of the Euro 2012

  Danish fans wait ahead of the Euro 2012 football championships match Denmark vs. Germany, on June 17, 2012 at the Arena Lviv in Lviv. AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/GettyImages)

• Denmark v Germany - Group B: UEFA EURO 2012

  L'VIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 17: A Denmark fan enjoys the prematch atmopshere during the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Denmark and Germany at Arena Lviv on June 17, 2012 in L'viv, Ukraine. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)

• Denmark v Portugal - Group B: UEFA EURO 2012

  L'VIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 13: A Danish fan enjoys the pre-match atmopshere during the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Denmark and Portugal at Arena Lviv on June 13, 2012 in L'viv, Ukraine. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

• Danish fans cheer before the Euro 2012 f

  Danish fans cheer before the Euro 2012 football championships group match between the Netherlands and Denmark on June 9, 2012 at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/GettyImages)

• A British fan is pictured before the Eur

  A British fan is pictured before the Euro 2012 championships football match Sweden vs England on June 15, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/GettyImages)

• An English supporter holds her national

  An English supporter holds her national flag ahead of the Euro 2012 championships football match Sweden vs England on June 15, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/GettyImages)

• Sweden v England - Group D: UEFA EURO 2012

  KIEV, UKRAINE - JUNE 15: A England fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group D match between Sweden and England at The Olympic Stadium on June 15, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

• A fan of France's national football team

  A fan of France's national football team reacts ahead of the Euro 2012 championships football match Ukraine vs France on June 15, 2012 at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. AFP PHOTO/ FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/GettyImages)

• A fan of France's national football team

  A fan of France's national football team tries to protect her from the rain as the Euro 2012 championships football match Ukraine vs France is suspended due to heavy rainfall on June 15, 2012 at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. AFP PHOTO/ FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ukraine v France - Group D: UEFA EURO 2012

  DONETSK, UKRAINE - JUNE 15: A France fan looks on during the UEFA EURO 2012 group D match between Ukraine and France at Donbass Arena on June 15, 2012 in Donetsk, Ukraine. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

• A fan wearing an Indian head dress in th

  A fan wearing an Indian head dress in the French colors cheers before the Euro 2012 championships football match France vs England on June 11, 2012 at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/GettyImages)

• A fan of England's national football tea

  A fan of England's national football team with a funny hat smiles as she waits prior to the Euro 2012 championships football match France vs England on June 11, 2012 at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. AFP PHOTO/ ALEXANDER KHUDOTEPLY (Photo credit should read Alexander KHUDOTEPLY/AFP/GettyImages)

• French fans cheer before the Euro 2012 c

  French fans cheer before the Euro 2012 championships football match France vs England on June 11, 2012 at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/GettyImages)

• Denmark v Germany - Group B: UEFA EURO 2012

  L'VIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 17: German fans sing ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Denmark and Germany at Arena Lviv on June 17, 2012 in L'viv, Ukraine. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

• Netherlands v Germany - Public Viewing: UEFA EURO 2012

  BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 13: A German soccer fan smiles during the match of their team's second match during the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Netherlands and Germany at a public viewing zone called 'fan mile' near the Brandenburg Gate on June 13, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won 2:1 versus Netherlands. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

• A fan of Germany's national football tea

  A fan of Germany's national football team poses prior to the Euro 2012 championships football match the Netherlands vs Germany on June 12, 2012 at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv. AFP PHOTO/ PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/GettyImages)

• Netherlands v Germany - Group B: UEFA EURO 2012

  KHARKOV, UKRAINE - JUNE 13:(EDITORS NOTE: IMAGE CONTAINS NUDITY) A Germany fans shows off her body paint prior to the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Netherlands and Germany at Metalist Stadium on June 13, 2012 in Kharkov, Ukraine. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

• A German supporter holds her national fl

  A German supporter holds her national flag are pictured prior to the Euro 2012 championships football match Germany vs Portugal on June 9, 2012 at the Arena Lviv. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/GettyImages)

• Supporters of the German national footba

  Supporters of the German national football team cheer during a public viewing event in Berlin showing the EURO 2012 football match between Germany and Denmark on June 17, 2012. The Euro 2012 football championship's group B match between Denmark and Germany is to be played in Lviv, Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL (Photo credit should read JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/GettyImages)

• Netherlands v Germany - Group B: UEFA EURO 2012

  KHARKOV, UKRAINE - JUNE 13: A Germany fan has her face painted prior to the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Netherlands and Germany at Metalist Stadium on June 13, 2012 in Kharkov, Ukraine. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

• Greece v Russia - Group A: UEFA EURO 2012

  WARSAW, POLAND - JUNE 16: A Russia fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Greece and Russia at The National Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

• Greece v Russia - Group A: UEFA EURO 2012

  WARSAW, POLAND - JUNE 16: A Russia fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Greece and Russia at The National Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

• A Russian fan waits for the start of the

  A Russian fan waits for the start of the Euro 2012 championships football match Greece vs Russia on June 16, 2012 at the National Stadium in Warsaw. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/GettyImages)

• Greece v Czech Republic - Group A: UEFA EURO 2012

  WROCLAW, POLAND - JUNE 12: A Greece fan enjoys the pre match atmosphere during the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Greece and Czech Republic at The Municipal Stadium on June 12, 2012 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

• Italy v Ireland - Group C: UEFA EURO 2012

  POZNAN, POLAND - JUNE 18: A Ireland fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Italy and Ireland at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

• Italy v Ireland - Group C: UEFA EURO 2012

  POZNAN, POLAND - JUNE 18: A Ireland fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Italy and Ireland at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

• Italy v Ireland - Group C: UEFA EURO 2012

  POZNAN, POLAND - JUNE 18: A Ireland fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Italy and Ireland at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

• An Irish fan cheers before the Euro 2012

  An Irish fan cheers before the Euro 2012 football championships match Italy vs Republic of Ireland on June 18, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages)

• Italy v Ireland - Group C: UEFA EURO 2012

  POZNAN, POLAND - JUNE 18: A Ireland fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Italy and Ireland at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

• An Italian fan blows a kiss before the s

  An Italian fan blows a kiss before the start of the Euro 2012 championships football match Italy vs Croatia on June 14, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Italy v Croatia - Group C: UEFA EURO 2012

  POZNAN, POLAND - JUNE 14: An Italy fan enjoys the atmosphere during the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Italy and Croatia at The Municipal Stadium on June 14, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

• Italian fans pose before the start of th

  Italian fans pose before the start of the Euro 2012 championships football match Spain vs Italy on June 10, 2012 at the Gdansk Arena. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/GettyImages)

• Fans from Netherlands cheer prior to the

  Fans from Netherlands cheer prior to the begining of the Euro 2012 football championships match Portugal vs. Netherlands, on June 17, 2012 at the Metalist stadium in Kharkov. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/GettyImages)

1. PURPOSE AND PACE
Reports suggest Roy Hodgson will retain Danny Welbeck and start Theo Walcott, as Andy Carroll and James Milner drop to the substitutes' bench. Although Carroll gave a decent display against Sweden, he and Milner, whose work rate has been second to no one because his first touch has been second to everyone, both restrict any speed of thought England may want to deploy.

Welbeck and Walcott are imperfect players, but along with Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney, England will be more energetic in attack against a team that were sluggish against the technically astute French on Friday.

2. ROONEY RETURNS
Although his poor performance level was masked by his goalscoring for Manchester United in 2011/12 (34 in all competitions), Rooney remains Britain's best footballer.

His presence is arguably the least assuring aspect for the Three Lions now he has served his two-match suspension. He did not enjoy freshness and fitness in the two World Cups he has played at since he set Euro 2004 alight as an 18-year-old, and is champing at the bit not just to play football for his country again, but to prove a point too.

3. LESSONS TO BE LEARNT
In contrast to pre-tournament realism, the tabloids have become idealistic now England have won a game at the Euros. That however papers over the cracks of what remains an underwhelming starting XI, let alone squad. The porous rearguard which afforded goals to Samir Nasri and Olof Mellberg are reminders of the team's major shortcomings, and such examples are useful tools to the team against complacency which is seeping in amongst some national newspapers.

4. UKRAINE MUST PLAY OPENLY
Despite the expected front four Hodgson will start with, England's de rigueur setting at major tournaments has been to withdraw from attack as the best form of defence becomes defence. That may tempt Hodgson to deploy such reticence due to Ukraine's need for three points, but England should seek to exploit their penetrable defence, which ceded two fabulous opportunities to Sweden in the dying moments when defending a 2-1 lead, let alone in a game they must win.

5. THE SHEVCHENKO EFFECT
Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said on Monday Shevchenko is "50-50" for Tuesday evening's game, but the prognosis seemed to clarify he won't be 100 per cent fit come kick-off. The national team's talisman lifted the team and the country with his double against Sweden, but that moment also seemed to be when Shevchenko rode off into the sunset to signal the end to a glittering career.

Persistent against France, his team-mates seemed to look to his 35-year-old self again for inspiration, but it was not forthcoming as he was ill-advisedly kept on for the full 90. Although even a half-fit Shevchenko could beat John Terry in a foot race, he is bereft of a sufficient supporting cast who can be relied upon to excel whenever he doesn't conjure up a moment of inspiration. Ukraine could rally in their hour-and-a-half of need, but it will take a monumental effort - even against notorious bottlers England - to succeed.