ASHLEY Williams is relishing the chance to tackle Wayne Rooney — but expects as tough a test against Crystal Palace's Alan Lee tonight (8pm).

The Wales star reckons John Toshack's team got the "perfect" draw for Euro 2012 qualifying after being placed in Group G alongside neighbours England.

But while Williams prepares for two of the biggest tests of his career with his country, he is forecasting another grilling when Swansea City go to Selhurst Park.

"I wanted England in the group so I think it's the perfect draw for us," the centre-back said.

"I am not too sure how to take the other teams in the group — some people say it's a good draw for us and others say it's bad.

"But I'm just pleased to be facing England because they will be massive games.

"It will be nice for us to try to challenge England with all the stars they have got and to see how far away from them we are.

"And it will be great to face Wayne Rooney.

"He is a great player and he is on fire at the moment, but hopefully he might have a little dip in form before we play them and that will give us a bit more of a chance.

"It will be a different kind of challenge against Alan Lee and Crystal Palace, but in a weird way it will probably be just as hard.

"I can't really think of a tougher fixture than Palace away on a Tuesday night, especially after we've played at the weekend.

"Palace will come out and try to batter us as they always do, and we know we are going to have to put in a shift.

"I have had a few good tussles with Alan Lee over the years and I'm sure this will be another one."

Republic of Ireland international Lee, a target for Swansea last summer, spearheads a Palace side who have responded to going into administration with three successive wins.

Inspired by the motivator that is Neil Warnock, Palace's players have come out fighting despite serious financial problems at the club.

"You know what Palace are like, it will be more of a battle than a football match," Williams added.

"By the end of the game every one of us will be knackered, and you only have to look at a player like Alan Lee to know it is going to be hard.

"All credit to Palace. They have got off-field troubles, but they have some really good individuals who could be playing at a higher level," he added.

"They have a good manager who always gets the best out of his teams and they look to have come together really well."

Swansea travel to London in high spirits having lost only two of their last 22 league matches.

Paulo Sousa again has injury concerns over Craig Beattie (foot), Cedric van der Gun (hamstring) and Angel Rangel (Achilles), but his players are buoyant after producing one of their displays of the season against Preston over the weekend.

They are due some success against Palace — Warnock's men were the only team to do the double over Swansea last term and got a point at the Liberty in December.

"We weren't ourselves when we went there last season and it's the kind of place where that can happen because they make it so difficult for you," Williams said.

"But we are stronger now and we are always confident, whoever we are up against. It would be great to get a win because that would set us up nicely for Newcastle at the weekend."

gareth.vincent@swwmedia.co.uk