All twenty three members of England’s World Cup 2010 squad are fit and available for selection ahead of Sunday’s crucial second round match against Germany. Ledley King has returned to full training after the groin injury that was initially feared to have ruled him out of the rest of the tournament while the concerns over the fitness of talisman Wayne Rooney turned out to be unfounded.

 

The main decision for coach Fabio Capello will be who partners John Terry in the centre of defence. Matthew Upson played well against Slovenia but with King fit and Jamie Carragher available following a one game suspension, the Italian will need to decide who can cope best with the German attack.

Rooney will be expected to take his place up front, probably alongside Jermain Defoe whose goal gave England the victory they needed to progress through Group C.

Assistant coach Stuart Pearce has said that the mood in the England camp is ‘buoyant’ following their performance against Slovenia. “We are near enough full strength and everyone is vying for a starting place” said Pearce, “you stress to the players that it is a squad situation and you can only win the World Cup with a squad.”