Sven keen to utilise Neville know-how

Sven-Goran Eriksson insists Gary Neville will have a key role for England against Ecuador, even if he is not fit to play.

Neville, 31, is struggling to beat a calf injury in time for the last-16 clash in Stuttgart on Sunday.

The Manchester United captain, who has missed the last two games, did some light training yesterday after a week of rest.

Eriksson thinks the Ecuador tie may be just too soon for Neville but does not want to lose the value of his experience and personality.

The England manager said: 'Gary should be in the dressing room, always.

'There was a discussion before we went to Cologne [to play Sweden] because he might have stayed in Baden-Baden to work on his fitness level with a masseur.

'I said no because we wanted him with us even if he is not playing.

'I want him in the dressing room and on the bench because he's one of those fighters and leaders you need in a team.'

Neville has missed a lot of training since the end of the domestic season.

Before his calf problem, he was troubled by a hamstring injury which forced him to miss the warm-up friendly against Jamaica.

Yesterday, Eriksson said: 'Gary Neville could be fit for Sunday fitness-wise but I'm not sure yet.

'He might be short of training. We have to assess that. He trained today but not normally.'

Rio Ferdinand is more confident of facing Ecuador after a slight groin strain forced him off in the second half of Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Sweden.

Ferdinand did not train yesterday but is expected to take part in today's session at England's training centre in Buhlertal.

Eriksson said: 'We think Rio will be fit for Sunday. He did not work together with the other players yesterday. He did something separately.'

Jamie Carragher will continue to deputise at right-back if Ferdinand is fit to play alongside John Terry in central defence.

If Ferdinand is ruled out, however, Carragher could switch to his usual role in the centre with Owen Hargreaves dropping in at right-back.

Eriksson seems to prefer this ahead of his other option - to play Sol Campbell in central defence with Terry and leave Carragher at full-back.

Hargreaves has had plenty of critics but Eriksson likes his energy and versatility.

The Bayern Munich man played well in midfield against Sweden when he was asked to step in for Steven Gerrard, who was rested.

Eriksson said: 'What you saw against Sweden is the real Owen Hargreaves. I'm very happy for him.

'More or less every time he played for England he was criticised negatively.

'Owen Hargreaves does that job all season for Bayern Munich and if you talk to the directors there, like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, he will tell you he is one of their most important players.'