All three picked up knocks during last night's 1-0 win over Ghana and it remains to be seen if they will each be fit enough to start the last 16 encounter with England.

Flick is hopeful about the recover of all three though, saying today: "Jerome has a bit of a calf strain and Schweini (Schweinsteiger) has a hamstring problem and for both I have to admit it might be a bit critical for them to be in the starting line-up on Sunday, but we are optimistic.

"Ozil seems to have twisted his ankle but he is not in pain and I think we will get him be fit for Sunday's game."

Flick was asked if Bayer Leverkusen youngster Toni Kroos was the likely replacement for Schweinsteiger if the influential Bayern Munich playmaker was ruled out.

Flick said: "He certainly is an alternative, but as far as Bastian Schweinsteiger is concerned I think we can have reasons to be optimistic.

"I've spoken to the team doctor and he says the recovery time is comparatively short. We just hope he's in the starting line-up and fit to play because he's become a key player."

Looking ahead to the clash with old rivals England, Flick believes Fabio Capello's "star-studded" side are still one of the leading candidates to win the World Cup despite an uninspiring start to the competition.

"I think at the moment they haven't really shown what they are capable of. I'm also convinced that England remain one of the favourites for the world champions title," he said.

"Any team with such a star-studded squad, with so much experience under their belts, are a team to be reckoned with. So they are certainly still one of the favourites and also for this game they will be the favourites.

"For me, England are a team who, under Fabio Capello, have tactically gained a lot and obviously, with their individual strength in attack, they can beat any team and so we are looking forward to this duel.

"This will be a highlight for all players in their career and we are all looking forward to Sunday."

Flick also offered his opinion on the comments made by Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer about England during the tournament.

Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as a coach and a player, first claimed Capello's side had resorted to "kick and rush" tactics, and today he was quoted as claiming England look tired and burnt-out following a gruelling domestic campaign.

Flick disagreed with Beckenbauer's first comment about England playing long ball, and to the second point he said: "England certainly did not show their true strength in the first games and I am convinced that they are experienced enough to move up a gear.

"They had a lot of pressure to get into the knockout stage so it will be a different team completely in this game and they will show these strengths.

"We are two big footballing nations and at the end of day it's an absolute classic. Two teams who, this time again, have big quality and there is mutual respect. It is important that we show over 90 minutes and that, in the end, Germany win."