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18 May 2006

The England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson has said that England have a better chance to win the World Cup this year than in 2002.

He said "it's the best squad and the best team I've had. I won't have any excuses, that's for sure". Eriksson also had good news on the fitness of England's top striker, Michael Owen saying that he has looked 100% playing in the training camp in the Algarve, Portugal and said "he'll be absolutely perfect for the World Cup".

The England captain, David Beckham, joined the squad in the Algarve on 17 May 2006 after scoring two goals for Real Madrid the previous day.

Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole played well in the 2-1 Champions Leauge final defeat to Barcelona on 17 May 2006. Steven Gerrard has also been given permission to miss the training camp in the Algarve after suffering from bad cramp in Saturday's FA Cup final and has been given the week off.

England's next game is an England B international against Belarus on 25 May 2006 back in Reading, England - Eriksson is therefore likely to include the reserve team members in the England squad including the surprise inclusion, 17 year old Theo Walcott. Michael Owen may also play to get some match practice.

The fitness of Wayne Rooney will be assessed after his scan on 25 May 2006.