Steven Gerrard has admitted England have plenty to work on if they are to make significant progress in the World Cup, despite topping their group after a 2-2 draw with Sweden.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side avoided a second-round meeting with host nation Germany and will instead do battle with surprise package Ecuador in Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon.

But Eriksson has much to ponder apart from the knee injury to striker Michael Owen which looks certain to end his involvement in the World Cup.

England were again guilty of a second-half fade-out and were also vulnerable at set-pieces which allowed Marcus Allback and Henrik Larsson to cancel out goals from man of the match Joe Cole and substitute Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard said: "We were prepared for whoever we came up against in the last 16 and, whether it was Ecuador or Germany, it was always going to be a tough game.

"But the most important thing was to top the group so we could get an extra day's rest before the second round and have more time to work on things.

"We will recover for a couple of days and try and get as many bodies fit as possible for the weekend."

Gerrard added: "I thought our play was a bit better against Sweden but we looked vulnerable on set-pieces, which is unusual for us, and we need to get those sorted on the training ground.

"In the second half we also stopped passing and moving. We have been working in training on trying to keep the same tempo in the second half as we have shown in the first 45 minutes of games.

"The manager wanted me to come on and provide a bit of energy in midfield but it was difficult because Sweden were really pushing for a goal."

In addition to Owen, Eriksson saw central defender Rio Ferdinand come off early in the second period with a groin injury but he expects him to be fit to face Ecuador.

The Swede said: "He had a small groin problem which he felt in the first half. He got some treatment on it but we didn't want to risk it. The good thing is I don't think it's a big injury at all."

Eriksson added: "It was very important that we won the group. We did it but didn't defend very well against set-pieces. We have to work on that for the next game.

"We have to do that better in future. On paper it should be more difficult against Germany but we don't face them now and have one more day to recover."