“With our medical staff we’ve discussed it and they and I think he (Rooney) can play more than 45 minutes,” Eriksson told ITV. “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 at Chelsea on April 29, 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.

“It’s very important for us because he is a fantastic player,” he said.

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.

He appears to have been convinced because, after training today, the England manager told television that Rooney is set to start.

Eriksson wants to rest Crouch, who has scored six in five games but is one yellow card away from a suspension.

A booking would rule him out of the knock-out game against Germany or Ecuador next weekend.

England are short of fully-fit strikers and Eriksson does not want to risk being without Crouch in second round.

Defender John Terry insists Rooney is raring to go against the Swedes, in Cologne, when England need a point to win Group B.

Terry said: “I think he’d tell you he’d got 160 minutes in him. He does look very good. Marking him is a nightmare so obviously it’s looking good. He’s looking very sharp and very ready to go.”

Eriksson is also expected to start with Owen Hargreaves in midfield in place of Steven Gerrard, who will also be banned 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 the calf strain he suffered in training on the eve of the win over Trinidad and Tobago.

Eriksson will be hoping England can beat Sweden for the first time in 38 years or at least secure the draw that would ensure they top Group B.