Roque Santa Cruz is confident he can inspire Paraguay to a shock victory over England in their World Cup clash in Frankfurt today.

The Bayern Munich striker, who has scored 13 goals in 42 appearances for his country, is set to defy a tendinitis problem in his right knee to face Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.

And the 24-year-old wants to help his country make history by surpassing the last 16 on football's biggest stage for the first time.

He said: "It will be a difficult match, but I know we can win. The team is very focused on the England game but also confident of achieving a positive result.

"Everyone is calm in the camp. Everyone wants to help Paraguay do well. England are a good side but we have faith in our own ability. It will be good to beat England.

"I am just happy I should be able to play some part. My knee is not 100 per cent. It feels about 90 per cent right. I think I will be able to start.

"I think I can play and help the team to overcome that barrier we've had in never going past the last 16 in the World Cup."

Fellow striker Nelson Cueva echoed Santa Cruz's sentiments and warned England 'this is probably one of the most complete teams we've had'.

He said: "We're confident and we know about the responsibility we have of defending the achievements made with much effort and heart by our previous teams. We want to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time."

Keeper Juso Villar believes Paraguay can stifle the threat England hope to pose from the likes of midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

He said: "We can't wait to play. England are fearsome with the set pieces and their touch is really good, especially from Lampard and Gerrard, but this team has the capacity to neutralise them."

Delio Toledo, meanwhile, has warned his team-mates that England are not a one-man team and will pose a major threat even without Wayne Rooney.

The Zaragoza defender is aware England will still field a star-studded side even in the absence of the Manchester United star.

Toledo said: "England have so many top-quality players and we have to think of people like David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and many other names.

"England do not rely on just one player like Wayne Rooney for their success. In fact, I think no team depends on just one single player.

"Soccer is a team game and you can't give all your concentration on one opposition player no matter how good they are."