Rio still doubtful for England

Rio Ferdinand remains a fitness doubt for England’s World Cup second-round clash with Ecuador in Stuttgart on Sunday.

The central defender limped out of Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Sweden early in the second half with a groin injury.

And Ferdinand was only able to participate in field work away from the remainder of the squad when England trained at the base near Baden-Baden on Friday morning.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will have the option of using Sol Campbell or Jamie Carragher as a replacement if Ferdinand fails to recover.

The likelihood is the position would be filled by Campbell as Carragher will be required to again deputise for Gary Neville at right-back.

Neville is stepping up his fitness work after recovering from a calf injury but is unlikely to be considered against Ecuador because of a lack of match sharpness.