BEWARE Batistuta and be on guard for Ortega too - that's the warning from Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson for England as World Cup dreams of glory go on the line against Argentina in St Etienne tonight, writes ANDY NEILD.

Hodgson knows all about the threat posed to English hopes by his Inter Milan 'old boy' Javier Zanetti, who has featured prominently in Argentina's cruise to the last 16.

But it is another Italian-based superstar, Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta, along with the gifted Ariel Ortega, who could hold the key to the competition's biggest confrontation so far.

Hodgson remains "optimistic" about England's chances of making progress and sealing a Dutch date in the quarter finals.

And it would be ironic if Zanetti was to be one of the men to deny them.

He is the player who lost self control and had a bust-up with Hodgson as Inter suffered undeserved defeat by Schalke in the 1997 UEFA Cup final.

The Rovers boss, however, remains a great admirer of his ability and the Inter star has shown up well during Argentina's World Cup charge. "He's a good player but I don't think he will be particularly influential," said the Rovers boss who has been covering the World Cup with other members of his staff.

"He plays a wide midfield or even wingback role and I am sure he will play well and be a thorn in England's side.

"But I don't think he will be a key player.

"The key players are likely to be Batistuta and Ortega."

Hodgson, however, does feel England can do well and have no need to fear Argentina even though the draw could hardly have been harder.

"Yes, I am optimistic," he said.

"I think they played ever so well against Colombia. "Glenn's found his best team now and they can only gain in confidence.

"It's a tough nut to crack but they are all tough nuts in the last 16.

"So you might as well have one that is recognised as being tough."

The Ewood boss was also delighted that the details of the Sebastien Perez deal had been able to be completed in his absence.

Chief executive John Williams and secretary Tom Finn deal with the administrative side once the manager has named his targets.

And Hodgson said: "It has been a difficult one to bring off with other clubs interested and we were very anxious to get him. We have been following him for some time."

As well as taking in as many matches as possible and building up his international contacts within the game, Hodgson is also much in demand himself.

Later this week he is one of several distinguished speakers at a symposium organised in Paris by the French Football Association.

The subject under discussion is football in the year 2000 and Hodgson will talk about the role of the coach at both club and international level, having had extensive experience of both.

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