INTERNATIONAL

• England's Butt ready by semifinals?

  
  

  Lisbon, Portugal (Sports Network) - Nicky Butt could possibly return to EURO 2004 action if England were to make it to the semifinals of the competition, according to the England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

  "He has started running and is getting better and better," stated Eriksson. "It is very positive for him and for us, If we reach the semifinals he might be better by then, but it is very difficult to say for sure."

  The Manchester United midfielder injured his knee during a training session last Monday, and sat out when England faced Switzerland on Thursday.

  Butt stayed in Portugal and has responded well to treatment. He could now return to the English side sooner than predicted.

  "The good news is it's not too serious but the bad news is that it could be two to three weeks out," Butt remarked after suffering the injury.

  06/20 12:18:11 ET