Neville very doubtful, Rooney fit

NUREMBERG, June 14 (Reuters) 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 today.

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 tomorrow'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 tomorrow.

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