Ronaldo is looking fit and hungry (Allsport).

By John Curtis, PA Sport, Kobe

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=betting/02/06/16/manual_160431.html

Tord Grip believes that Brazil's proud World Cup history could count against them when they take on England in Friday's quarter-final clash.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's number two feels that all the pressure will be on the samba sensations because of the expectancy level after their four previous triumphs.

And he is confident that England can come out on top if they reproduce the same kind of performance as against another South American giant in Argentina in the group stages.

Grip, who is optimistic that striker Michael Owen will have recovered from a groin problem, said: "We are good enough to beat Brazil and there is a lot of confidence in the squad.

"People go on about Brazil's record and it is excellent but I don't think there is any psychological barrier to overcome because this is a new team.

"Then there is the history but that counts more for the players of the nation involved. Their history means there is a lot more pressure on us than the England side.

"Obviously they have got many outstanding players - and not just ones that people talk about all the time like Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos.

"Sven said he thought Ronaldo is looking the fittest he has been for the last four years.

"But they way they attack means there is quite a lot of space around their back-line which it is hoped that we have players who can take advantage of."

Grip added: "Myself and Sven said before the World Cup that England could go all the way and I think we have got a great chance.

"We have beaten Argentina already and Brazil have almost the same sort of strengths. They might have more individual skills but if we can cope with that then we think we have a chance."

One option ruled out by Grip was man-marking Rivaldo who scored a wonder goal against Belgium in Monday's 2-0 victory.

He said: "He is all over the place and I don't think you can man mark him. It is not just him. You find Carlos in the centre getting on the end of crosses from Rivaldo.

"They are very unpredictable and we need to have our shape and play like we did against Argentina."

Owen and Paul Scholes both missed training today and were undergoing intensive treatment on groin and ankle injuries respectively, while Owen Hargreaves is set to train on Wednesday. Striker Darius Vassell also sat out training today with a slight back injury.

Grip added: "Michael and Paul are both having treatment. I hope they will be fit by Friday. Hargreaves looked good and I think he's available. He will join us in training tomorrow and did a lot today so he could be okay for Friday. Every player wants to be fit on Friday."