ENGLAND expects ... an early end to the working day tomorrow!

Thousands of football fans are set to leave work early to watch England in their must-win match against Switzerland in Euro, 2004.

England run the risk of being eliminated from the competition after their 2-1 defeat by France last Sunday.

Thousands are hoping skipper David Beckham will inspire his team to deliver the goods and give the Swiss a trouncing.

The match kicks off at 5pm - when most workers would normally be setting off for home and hitting the rush-hour traffic jams.

A survey by car manufacturer Hyundai suggested that up to 10,000 fans will take the day off work or slip away early.

Hyundai spokesman Rodney Kulmar said: "It seems that the majority of the country's workforce will not be where they should be when the action kicks off.

"This is a special event and fans want to see the full match. So for most, skipping work early is the only way."

A spokeswoman for the Huddersfield-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said : "There will be a percentage of people trying to get off early - presumably the ones with flags on their cars!"

She said companies operating flexible hours might be able to allow staff to leave early.

But she said: "They are in the minority. Most companies still operate 9 to 5."

The spokeswoman said taking a lenient view might pay off for bosses - if England rise to the challenge and win.

"England doing well creates a buzz in the office," she said.

FIVE foolproof excuses to mumble to your boss as you leave the office early to catch the England match.

1 "I've got to take the cat to the vet's."

2 "I've got some important paperwork to go through at home."

3 "I thought I'd take the opportunity to do some networking with potential clients - at the pub that happens to have the big screen."

4 "There's a man coming to deliver a fridge and I've got to be in."

5 "I had a freak allergic reaction to my lunchtime sarnie, feel terrible. I need to go home and lie down on the sofa. I'll barely have the strength to watch the match, honest."