England v Ecuador: Still awaiting a performance from his side that might support their pre-tournament status as contenders, Sven-Goran Eriksson looks likely to ring the changes for tomorrow's second-round encounter with Ecuador.
Jamie Carragher looks set to be dropped with Owen Hargreaves making an unlikely switch to right back. Tottenham's Michael Carrick, a more creative deep- lying midfielder who, it is hoped, will finally allow Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard fulfil their extensive potential as an attacking unit, will replace the Bayern Munich player in midfield. Lampard and Gerrard will certainly be required to get forward as, it seems, Wayne Rooney is to be deployed as a lone striker.
None of the changes have been confirmed by the coach and with another training session today he could still opt for a less dramatic shake-up. There is a sense, though, that after the side's second-half performance against Sweden, tomorrow's game represents the last opportunity to hit upon a positive formula.
Though clearly versatile, the decision to switch Hargreaves to right back while Gary Neville still struggles to overcome a calf strain, represents a gamble. The 25-year-old has played there before but not at this level. Sadly for Eriksson, he has few other options if he wishes to drop Carragher whose ability to play there influenced the coach's decision not to bring a specialist reserve.
Carrick's introduction, however, would be a positive move. Although he tends to sit behind other central midfield players in much the same area that Hargreaves occupied earlier in the week he is a very different player, who wins a good deal less possession than his team-mate but seeks to use the ball to far more positive effect when his team have it.
It remains unclear who will partner John Terry in central defence, as Rio Ferdinand remains a doubt due to the groin strain he picked up against Sweden. The Manchester United defender is rated as doubtful. Sol Campbell's lack of finess will ensure Ferdinand's return is viewed as a matter of urgency.
Ecuador, meanwhile, are at full strength and, after Luiz Fernando Suarez rested three players for the game against Germany, they are likely to start with the side that took the field against Poland in their opening group game.
The South Americans were rather comfortably outplayed by the hosts and it is hard to see their central defence coping well with Wayne Rooney just as it is hard to imagine that Terry and whoever plays alongside him will not master Ivan Hurtado.
In short, the game is there for England if they can produce anything approaching their best. Three games on, though, and we're still waiting.
England (4-1-4-1)
Robinson; Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole; Carrick; Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, J Cole; Rooney
Ecuador (4-4-2)
Mora; la Cruz, Hurtado, Espinoza, Reasco; Valencia, Mendez, Castillo, E Tenorio; C Tenorio, Delgado
