Carrick set for surprise England call-up

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON is poised to spring a World Cup surprise by including Michael Carrick in the team to play Ecuador tomorrow.

Spurs midfielder Carrick has not been involved in any of the three group matches in Germany. But manager Eriksson is understood to be ready to bring him into his midfield for Sunday’s last-16 clash in Stuttgart.

His inclusion suggests Eriksson could be ready to play with a five-man midfield against Ecuador and Wayne Rooney up front on his own. Rio Ferdinand’s fitness remains the big question for Eriksson. With Gary Neville almost certain to be ruled out of the Ecuador game with a calf injury, Owen Hargreaves has emerged as the favourite to play right-back in place of Jamie Carragher.