England v Trinidad & Tobago
2006 World Cup Finals, Group B
5pm (BST), Thursday 15 June 2006
Frankenstadion, Nuremburg
Live on ITV

Sven-Goran Eriksson has declared Wayne Rooney match fit and said he will sleep on a decision over what part he plays against Trinidad & Tobago.

Rooney has continued his excellent recovery from injury in training with the Three Lions and is now very close to making his long-awaited comeback from a broken foot.

Sven says the Manchester United striker is unlikely to start against Trinidad but won't rule out anything for the moment and has strongly denied reports of a dispute with FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick over the issue.

He said: “For me Rooney is match fit. Let me sleep on it, I will decide tomorrow morning but I think he’s match fit.

“It’s been reported that Brian and I had a row about it, that’s completely a lie. We have discussed it a lot in a positive way but absolutely no disputes at all."

Sven added that Rooney would "almost for sure not be starting the match because I don’t think he has 90 minutes in his legs yet" but the striker's recovery rate is clearly a huge boost for the squad.

England do have an injury worry over Gary Neville, however, who didn't train today because of a calf problem. He will have a scan this evening and once again Sven will make a decision in the morning over whether he can play.

But Eriksson insists that should Neville be ruled out for the vital Group B clash, England will manage because they have two ideal replacements.

He said: "Gary has a calf problem and is very doubtful for tomorrow's game. He is going for a scan now but if he is not match fit then Jamie Carragher or Owen Hargreaves can replace him."

Eriksson added that England intend to finish as winners of the Group by recording wins against Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden.

He said: "We want to win the group and we will do everything we can. We did not win it in Japan or in Portugal, so this time we want to make sure we do."