The sight of defender Fernando Couto taking goal kicks instead of struggling goalkeeper Vitor Baia on Friday night in Portugal imbued England spy Martin Hunter with some confidence.

While the exhilarating attacking talent of the Portuguese - in the form of Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Sergio Conceicao - has few peers, the back door is always liable to creak alarmingly.

It was clear against Wales in Chaves that the incredible loyalty afforded to their goalkeeping skipper was bordering on lunacy, with Euro 2000 and the opening game against England only a week away.

Baia, who was loaned out by Barcelona to Porto for the season, has been incapacitated for virtually all of the campaign with a serious knee problem. In fact, his first comeback match did not come until May 15.

The player, who looks upon Newcastle's former England boss Bobby Robson as his mentor after their time together at Barcelona and during his previous spell at Porto, appeared decidedly ring-rusty against the Welsh and did not even trust himself with goal kicks.

Once this fact is relayed back to England coach Kevin Keegan, it is certain to act as a spur to the likes of Alan Shearer and Michael Owen.

The 30-year-old Baia is due to become his country's most capped player when he makes his 71st appearance in Eindhoven next Monday and readily confesses a debt of gratitude to Robson, the man he claims is the reason he has become one of Europe's top goalkeepers and with whom he still keeps in touch.

'As a coach and as a person, Bobby Robson is fantastic,' said Baia. 'I believe that he is the reason I have been so successful and won so many caps for my country.

'He has definitely made me a better goalkeeper - he has been so important to my career. He is the best coach I have had and you always know that he will help you wherever he is, at every opportunity.'

Such admiration for Robson is matched by his compatriots' love for him and, although in normal circumstances Baia would be told to put his feet up for the summer, he will be on the plane to the Low Countries to try to anchor Portugal's European Championship ambitions.

He said defiantly: 'My knee is fine. I am optimistic that everything will be OK. I feel comfortable about my fitness.'

While he may be fooling the faithful fans in his homeland, many others remain unconvinced.

Baia, however, is convinced Portugal can be successful and he puts specific emphasis on that opening game against England. 'Seven of our players have won championship medals this season in leagues all over Europe, ' he explained.

'Because we have all achieved things in our club football, we are confident we can translate that into the national team.

'Many of the squad have become more experienced by playing in the best countries in Europe - Italy, Spain, England and France. It has improved our image abroad and we feel much better than in 1996 in England.'

On that occasion, Portugal played some thrilling football in the group stages only to lose in the quarter-final at Villa Park to the Czech Republic when Karel Poborsky, who was bound for Manchester United, scored with an impudent chip.

There is now tremendous expectation at home but Baia insisted: 'I believe we are capable of handling the hopes of our people. We have grown up together, with many of these players having won the World Youth Championships in 1989 and 1991.

'Now this is the opportunity for us to reach the pinnacle of European football. That's where we want to be - it's a desire running through the squad.

'But for the first game it is vital we do not lose, otherwise it will be hard to recover. If we can beat England, then they will find it very hard to progress.

'We must reach the quarter-finals. From then, anything can happen then.'

It is clear that if you allow Portugal to weave pretty patterns, they will destroy you. But, as Wales showed despite their 3-0 defeat, if the opposition applies some muscle, the feathers of the preening Portuguese become ruffled.

Barcelona skipper Figo was still grumbling about Welsh aggression long into the night. He said: 'You didn't think at times that it was a friendly game. We know British football is hard and physical so Wales should prove to be a good test for the England game.'

Baia anticipates a physically challenging game against Keegan's side. He said: 'Everyone knows how talented England are. They have a strong squad. They are nearly always present in the final stages of major championships and they will be confident.

'We respect them but we do not fear them. We have excellent players in our squad as well.'

Portugal are the kings of the under-achievers - a trait they share with neighbours Spain. But there are few national teams more pleasing on the eye.

They moved forward with guile and invention against Wales, with Figo and Fiorentina's Rui Costa inevitably at the heartbeat.

However, at the back they still look like an accident waiting to happen - and the England players will hope they can reduce their dreams to rubble.