Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, too, have propelled themselves to global prominence on the back of tournament successes.

Yet, in the modern game, where defences are so much tighter and the sheer fitness of players ensures that space in the penalty area is at a premium, teams need an extra weapon.

Defenders know how to handle strikers. It is what they are paid to do and only the truly exceptional forward will score a cascade of goals to lead his side to glory.

Kevin Keegan remains hopeful that Shearer can begin his last major tournament as he finished his first, Euro 96, and that the right partner can be found for his captain.

But Keegan also has a sneaking feeling that England have another weapon to direct at their rivals this summer - the ability to strike with deadly effect from midfield.

If he is right, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and perhaps Nick Barmby can become pivotal.

The events of two summers ago proved that championships can be won from midfield. France entered the World Cup without a settled strikeforce and ended it in very much the same state.

Yet, despite the failures of Stephane Guivar'ch and Christophe Dugarry, Les Bleus emerged as champions of the world on the back of Zinedine Zidane's eye for a half-chance.

Beckham is the man who can be Keegan's Zidane. He represents England's most consistent source of supply from the flank as well as being their dead-ball maestro - even though the Manchester United midfielder accepts a steady goal return is missing from his England career.

One goal in 30 games - that fantastic free-kick against Colombia in Lens - is not enough. 'It's disappointing,' he freely admitted.

Keegan concurs but is adamant that Beckham can deliver. 'I look at David and I see the best player in the world,' said the England coach. 'He has that capability. He's been voted No.2 behind Rivaldo but there's more in him that that. He will want more goals but he can catch up pretty quickly.

'David's capable of scoring in open play and from set-pieces. When he gets into scoring positions, he reminds me of Peter Beardsley. I had to go berserk to make Peter start scoring goals for Newcastle.

'He was wanting to make them for Andy Cole, to the point where he was missing chances and knocking them to Andy, who sometimes missed them as well.

'David's a bit like that, rolling in for Andy or Dwight Yorke to knock it in. He's not a selfish player and that's why he's got one goal in 30.'

Even though Beckham admits he might prefer to play centrally rather than wide on the right - 'that would give me more chance to go into the middle and spray it about' - he is ready to make the transition to scorer. I've never felt better,' said Beckham as he relaxed in the hot sun of a Maltese afternoon.

'I've been playing well and scoring goals for United and now it's given me the confidence to play like that in the Championships. There's always an expectation on me to perform and do things in games. It's an added pressure but if I give 100 per cent I'll be happy.

'If I can do more, winning games or scoring goals, then great. I've played 30 games and can't be doing too much wrong. But I know I've got the ability to dominate more than I have so far.'

Euro 2000 gives Beckham the stage he craves and the opportunity taken by Zidane, who was merely the latest to don the mantle. In 1984 it was Michel Platini who led France to the European Championship, with vital goals against Portugal in the semi-final and Spain in the final.

Two years later, Diego Maradona became arguably the only man ever to win the World Cup singlehanded - too literally for England's liking - while 1990 saw two others rise to the occasion.

David Platt began Italia 90 as an unheralded squad member and ended the tournament a superstar - scoring memorably against Belgium, Cameroon and then Italy, demonstrating an uncanny ability to be in the right place which eventually took him to Serie A.

Lothar Matthaus's stunning strike against Yugoslavia had set the tone in the 1990 group matches as Germany seized the initiative and never let go.

Four years ago in England, Berti Vogts' side were indebted to Matthias Sammer's contributions against Croatia in the brutal Old Trafford quarter-final as they went on to win.

No wonder Keegan is so keen to nurture Beckham.

The coach's predecessor, Glenn Hoddle, left the midfielder out of the opening game of France 98 against Tunisia but there is no question of Beckham missing England's clash with Portugal in Eindhoven on June 12.

Beckham admitted: 'I've thought about that but the manager keeps picking me and I've come off a good season so my confidence is very high.

'There's more togetherness between the players now, with the management and the staff. That comes from the manager but it shows around the camp and on the training ground.'

Keegan said: 'All I know is that David is ready for a major tournament this time. He will adapt to the big stage. He is a big match player and we have to get the best out of him.

'He's been more involved and more influential. The last two games have been his best for me and he's taking more responsibility. He's at his peak.'

But Beckham is not the only armoury in the cupboard. Scholes' ability to break beyond the strikers was demonstrated against Scotland at Hampden Park and again when he hit a Ukrainian post on Wednesday.

Today, he and Barmby will play in tandem against Malta.

Barmby's cameo role after coming on at Wembley in midweek echoed his fine performance in China on the eve of Euro 96 and Keegan added: 'If you'd asked me a few months ago, I don't think it would've been possible for Nick but he thoroughly deserves his chance.

'I've told him "Go out and give us 90 minutes of what you gave us for 16 the other day". He really expressed himself well. He came in and picked up the pace of the game as if he'd never been away and he's playing better now than he ever has in his life.'

It is unlikely that Barmby can play himself into England's starting team against Portugal, however. Keegan seems certain to play 4-4-2 in a match he cannot afford to lose and Steve McManaman or Dennis Wise will probably fill the left-sided role.

Barmby plays there today in a side which sees Wise restored to midfield, Kevin Phillips up front and Richard Wright making his debut in goal.

Yet, Barmby will doubtless take heart from the example of Platt in the knowledge that teams rarely remain constant over a tournament, tending to evolve as the championship gathers pace.

Keegan is determined to stop his players feeling entirely comfortable - with the exception of David Seaman, Shearer, Tony Adams and Beckham - and has demanded no slacking today.

He said: 'We've not really shown our hand totally, whereas some other teams have chosen to. There are some players who look like fringe players but it wouldn't be such a surprise if they got in.'

Meanwhile, Keegan is waiting for Beckham to show his true worth. A goal would help. It could also turn England into serious challengers.

Malta (4-3-1-2): Barry; Spiteri, Dimech, Buttigieg, Chetcuti; Turner, Brincat, Carabott; Busuttil; Mifsud, Nwoko.