England News

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

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90000

Gerrard starts for England

10 Jun 2006 - 13:27:00

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Steven Gerrard has shaken off a back injury and has been named in the starting line-up for England's World Cup opener against Paraguay on Saturday.

The news means Wayne Rooney is the only absentee from Sven-Goran Eriksson's first-choice team, with his position going to the in-form Peter Crouch.

Paraguay were handed a boost when Roque Santa Cruz was passed fit to play.

The Bayern Munich striker has been struggling with a knee injury for months, but coach Anibal Ruiz has opted to hand him a starting berth in Frankfurt.

Teams:

England: Robinson, G Neville, Terry, Ferdinand, A Cole, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, J Cole, Owen, Crouch.

Paraguay: Villar, Caniza, Gamarra, Caceres, Toledo, Bonet, Acuna, Paredes, Riveros, Valdez, Santa Cruz.

Referee: M. Rodriguez (Mexico).