NUREMBERG, June 14 - England right back Gary Neville has a calf injury and is
very doubtful for their Group B game against Trinidad & Tobago, but striker
Wayne Rooney is fit, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Wednesday.
Eriksson told a news conference that Owen Hargreaves or Jamie Carragher would
come into the team if Neville, who earlier limped out of training at the
Nuremberg stadium, was not fit for Thursday's game.
"Gary Neville has a calf problem and is very doubtful for tomorrow," Eriksson
said. "He's on his way to do a scan now so we will know more later and tomorrow
morning."
Asked if Rooney was available to make his World Cup debut after nearly seven
weeks out with a broken foot, Eriksson said: "For me, Rooney is match fit.
"Let me sleep on it, I will decide tomorrow morning."
As for whether the Manchester United striker would start or come on from the
substitutes' bench, he said: "Almost for sure not starting the match, because I
don't think he's got 90 minutes in his legs yet."
Any decision to play the inspirational 20-year-old forward would be a
controversial one.
Manchester United issued a statement last week, citing independent expert
medical opinion, that Rooney should not be played before the second round at the
earliest.
Even then, he would need careful assessment before any decision to play could
be taken, the statement said.
Eriksson dismissed reports in the British media that he had had a difference
of opinion with Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick over when to
play Rooney.
"It's been reported that Brian and I have had a row about it, that's
completely a lie," said the Swede.
"We have discussed it a lot in a positive way but absolutely no disputes at
all."
England, who beat Paraguay 1-0 in last Saturday's opener, will qualify for
the second round if they win on Thursday.
