England need only to avoid defeat to make sure of their place in the quarter-finals and a meeting with Italy in Brussels on Saturday.

Keegan has pledged to adopt an attacking policy against the Romanians who have to collect three points to have a chance themselves of making the last eight.

But the England coach is conscious that the games against Portugal and Germany have been blighted by the poor level of passing demonstrated by his team who have been forced to concede the bulk of possession to the opposition.

He knows that there will have to be a vast improvement in that department if England are to be regarded as serious contenders to contest the final in Rotterdam on July 2.

Keegan said: "We took a lot of good things out of the German game even though it might not have impressed connoisseurs of football. It would have impressed people who look at football as not always something where two teams play the beautiful game.

"The players have also proved that in all matches they can keep very focused. But if we don't start passing the ball better in this tournament then it will be difficult for us to go the whole way.

"I said that to the players in training tonight. You can't win a tournament working as hard as we have in the first two games and not having a fair share of the possession - and the boys know that.

"We've had a real frank talk about that and we know that area of our game has got to get better against Romania, and in the next game as well if we manage to go through.

"But the good thing is we know that we can do that. We showed it in patches in the friendly games against the Ukraine and Brazil - the number one side in the world - and also against Argentina back in February.

"We know what we are capable of. We've had two really tough matches and we will be in for a third if we don't spray the ball around better.

"We want to start showing that we can play the sort of football that will win you a tournament. I don't think we have done that so far."

Keegan's philosophy has always been of a positive bent as amply demonstrated by the exciting team he put together when manager of Newcastle United.

That theme is set to continue against the Romanians, and Keegan knows that a goal for his side will leave the opposition with a mountain to climb.

He said: "I think it is very difficult with the rules as they are now for a team to just go out and play for a draw.

"If you go back 15 to 20 years the Italians were past masters at it. That was in the days when you could pass the ball to the goalkeeper and he would pick it up, roll it to the full-back and then receive it again.

"It's harder with the rules as they are now just to close the game down, but in any case we are going to be very positive.

"If we can get a goal ahead then we will leave them with a real problem. They will have to come out there and really go for broke.

"England got a 0-0 draw in Rome three years ago to qualify for the World Cup finals, and I think the tactical knowledge in this squad and know-how can get us another right result. But we are going to be positive."

Keegan believes his team know they are capable of a bold show at Euro 2000 but will not get ahead of themselves.

He added: "I think the confidence in this camp has always been at a sensible level. I think we are very realistic. We know what we are good at; we know what we can do and to a certain degree we know what we can't do.

"I still think there is room for a little more belief, but when you lose the first game in the manner that we did it took a bit out of us. The Germany game was just what we wanted."

Paul Scholes and captain Alan Shearer - the goal hero against the Germans - have both shaken off knocks picked up in that game and will be fit to play.

It remains to be seen whether Keegan opts to stick with a 4-4-2 system or revert to a 3-5-2 formation against the Romanians who pass the ball around on the floor and are likely to be strong numerically in the midfield department.

Steven Gerrard did his chances of earning a first competitive start for his country no harm after his performance in the final quarter against the Germans.

Keegan will also have the option of being able to call on Steve McManaman who has recovered from a knee injury, although he will only start the game from the substitutes' bench after resuming training on Monday.

Romania's Dan Petrescu says the repercussions facing his team if they make an early exit from Euro 2000 will drive them on against England.

Romania are under pressure to qualify in Euro 2000 and Petrescu is aware of the backlash the players will face from their own fans if they fail to beat England and reach the quarter-finals.

A draw against Germany and a last-gasp defeat by Portugal has left them needing nothing less than three points on Tuesday.

Petrescu said: "Our fans expect us to go through. They will be demanding that and I am sure the English supporters will feel the same way about their team.

"It is a massive match for both sides but our people will be very angry with us if we have to go back home now. We will not be very popular in our country.

"We have to beat England. England are England. They could go all the way in this tournament or they could go out at the group stage. It is hard to tell."

Petrescu is delighted to see his Chelsea team-mate Dennis Wise force his way into the England side.

He said: "He is one of the best players of his type in English football and I don't say this just because we both play for Chelsea.

"He can pass the ball, he can run all day and can tackle. He's a terrific all-round player and I am glad he is getting his chance with England in this competition.

"But on Tuesday all that concerns me is helping to get Romania into the quarter-finals."