England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90000

Carrick set to start

24 Jun 2006 - 11:08:08

Click To Enlarge

Michael Carrick looks set to start for England against Ecuador on Sunday as Sven-Goran Eriksson ponders whether to switch to a 4-5-1 system for the last 16 clash.

Eriksson may decide to move to the new formation because of Michael Owen's absence through injury and could start with Wayne Rooney as a lone striker.

Carrick is expected to come in for Owen Hargreaves, who will move to right-back with Jamie Carragher left out.

Central defender Rio Ferdinand is expected to play after recovering from the groin injury that forced him to be substituted in the second half of the 2-2 draw with Sweden.

However, Gary Neville is a major doubt as he continues to struggle with the calf injury that forced him to miss the Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden matches.

"Gary and Rio are both expected to do a full session on Saturdaty and then we will decide," said Eriksson.

"I am more positive about Rio because of the fitness level. Hopefully they will both be OK injury wise."

Peter Crouch is set to miss out after playing virtually the whole 90 minutes against Sweden after coming on for Owen.