England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson confirmed today that Wayne Rooney will start the final Group B game against Sweden in Cologne on Tuesday.

"With our medical staff we've discussed it and they and I think he (Rooney) can play more than 45 minutes," Eriksson said.

"And, if he can play more than 45, it is better that he starts the game rather than coming on."

The Manchester United striker is expected to replace Peter Crouch and play up front with Michael Owen.

Rooney (20) has not started a game for England since the friendly against Uruguay in March.

He broke a bone in his foot, playing for United against Chelsea in April and made his comeback as a sub for England against Trinidad and Tobago, on Thursday.

Eriksson has been impressed with Rooney's performances in training since his foot healed and is delighted that he can now start him for the first time.

The England boss said yesterday that he wanted to reunite Owen and Rooney. He considers them his best partnership even though they are both coming back from serious injuries.

Eriksson said he would talk to his coaches and his physios to see if they thought Rooney had 60 minutes in the tank after nearly seven weeks out.

Eriksson is also expected to start with Owen Hargreaves in midfield in place of Steven Gerrard, who will be suspended if he receives another booking.

Hargreaves came on during England's opening Group B match against Paraguay and appears to be Eriksson's preferred choice as a holding midfield player ahead of Michael Carrick.

Jamie Carragher will continue to deputise for Gary Neville at right-back. Neville was the only player missing from England's training session today. He is still nursing a calf strain.  PA