Owen Will Start

Pre-match panic over: Sven-Goran Eriksson today insisted Michael Owen is "fully fit" to face Brazil in tomorrow's World Cup quarter-final.

The England striker has been having round-the-clock treatment on a groin injury, which he suffered during Saturday's 3-0 win over Denmark.

He was back in training today and came through an hour-long session in torrential rain with no ill-effects, not even a sneeze.

With England chasing their first ever World Cup success over the Brazilians, Owen's presence and pace is vital.

"Michael is okay," Eriksson said. "He's had some small problems with his groin but he has worked very hard and has had a lot of treatment and massaging.

"He is fully fit and it will not be a gamble to play him. It is a big boost to us that he is fit.

"Everyone has seen in the past couple of games how well Michael and Emile Heskey work together as a partnership." Both players got off the mark against Denmark.

Eriksson's squad will go into the game with a clean bill of health, as all 23 members were put through their paces in the final session before the game.

Midfielder Paul Scholes (foot) and striker Darius Vassell (back) have also shaken off their respective problems.

Eriksson said: "It is very nice to see all 23 of our players working on the pitch together. We came into the tournament with a few injured players and maybe things are clearing up for everybody at just the right time." Eriksson is demanding that his players repeat the performance against Argentina if they are to stand a chance of reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 12-years.

He said: "Brazil attack a lot and we must pay attention to them and defend very well although you can't win by just stopping the opposition.

"They are a very good team and as the tournament goes on it gets more and more difficult to succeed.

"But if we play like we did against Argentina then why can't we win? There is a lot of confidence and belief in our squad." More encouraging news for Eriksson was the torrential rain, which helped to keep down temperatures.

A big fear for England had been that they would have to play in searing heat and humidity similar to the game against Nigeria in Osaka.

Eriksson said: "In England we are very used to rain and it is much better to play in these conditions than temperatures of 35 degrees."