According to Rush, Brazil still look the team to beat, but the Welshman added that England also have a chance to win, but need striker Wayne Rooney to fit if they are going to make the final in Berlin on July 9.

Rush described Brazil's Ronaldinho as "probably the best player in the world", but added that the contest is still wide open.

He also said he liked the Dutch side. "They've got a great team and Marco van Basten has done a fantastic job with them and they have to in with a chance," he said.

"England can win it, however they do need all their players to be fit," he said.

The former Liverpool star said the England team had a number of game winners. He said Steven Gerrard had been outstanding this year in the Premiership and Champions League, and with Michael Owen and Frank Lampard in the team "you've got players who can win games".

Rush also saw the funny side of Rooney's injury. "In my day no one knew what a metatarsal bone was," he said. "In those days you just broke your foot."

Rooney and other top players in England have had similar foot injuries, and some have blamed the new, lightweight boots now being worn, but Rush said the new boots were not to blame.

However, he said that while the boots were not the problem, the blades that replaced the old studs could be playing a role.

Former Chelsea star Clive Walker, who is also playing in this weekend's Masters tournament, agreed.

"The lightweight boots are not the issue, but the blades could be a problem," he said.

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation