England manager Fabio Capello confirmed on Wednesday that midfielder Gareth Barry was fit enough to feature in the clash against Algeria.

"Gareth will play this Friday. He is OK, there is no problem," Capello told BBC sports. "He has trained very well and he is fit."

Barry was a key player for England during the qualifying campaign but his ankle injury, sustained on May 5, left him battling to be fit for the finals.

Although Capello gave Barry as much time as possible to recover and named him in his final 23 squad, the 29-year-old central midfielder was left out of the England line-up against the United States, in which the two sides tied 1-1.

England will face Algeria on Friday, before encountering Slovenia in their final group stage match next Wednesday.