England's Gerrard doubtful for Paraguay opener

BUHLERTAL, Germany, June 8 (Reuters) England midfielder Steven Gerrard says he is only '50-50' to face Paraguay in their World Cup opener yesterday due to a hip problem.

Gerrard, set to be a key figure in England's Group B campaign, missed Wednesday's training session with what coach Sven-Goran Eriksson described as a stiff back.

But Gerrard told reporters on Thursday: ''It's not really a back problem. I got a knock on my hip and it's just made my back go into spasm a bit.

''Overall, I've got a good chance of playing on Saturday. I've just got to keep working on it, but I've got a good chance.

''As we speak now it's probably 50-50. But if it keeps improving the way it has done over the past 24 hours I'll be there.'' REUTERS