It's a huge blow for England to lose Rio Ferdinand through injury. It is a big blow for any team to lose their captain, but for England to lose such an influential and important figure from central defence a week before the World Cup is devastating and he will leave a hole.

My initial thoughts were that I was gutted for Rio. I've been there myself and know how it feels to miss a World Cup through injury. But you have to accept it as a professional; it's disappointing but you have to get over it.

Rio has had a long career, so he knows all about the ups and downs. Sometimes you get the low blows that set you back, but he will recover from it. He's a strong character and a fit, determined lad who will want to make up for missing the tournament.

He will have to use this time off to recover, because he got a few injuries last season and his body is probably telling him to rest. I'm sure he will come back a stronger and more determined player next season because that's the type of character he is.

England have to keep all their players fit now. Without a shadow of a doubt England have a chance to go far in the tournament; that is still the case. I just hope there are no more injuries around the corner because England can't afford too many injuries or suspensions.

Raw materials are there

Elsewhere in the England squad, I think everyone looked at Theo Walcott as a surprise omission from Fabio Capello's final 23.

People had presumed he would be included, but if you look back over the season he hadn't played a massive amount of football for Arsenal or England. Although Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright- Phillips also hadn't played the maximum amount of football, Capello must have seen enough in the two games pre-squad selection and in training to tip the balance in their favour.

It just goes to show that that there were still places up for grabs in the weeks before the 23-man squad was named. I must admit, I did expect Walcott to be chosen in the squad because I think he is goal threat from wide positions and he's explosive. I think he potentially has more goals in him than Wright-Phillips and Lennon; he has played centre-forward in the past so it would have been another option in that position.

I don't think England fans need to be concerned that England's performances in the warm-up games were not out of this world. Players are worried about getting injured in those games and the adrenaline isn't pumping the way it is in a World Cup match. It's always nice to play well and go into a tournament in great form, but it's not the be all and end all. The main thing is they won. Victories when you're not playing well can give you as much confidence as victories playing well.

I don't think England will have a settled formation in the World Cup; it will probably change from game to game. In the game against Algeria, for example, England could perhaps put two up front and go for it.

In other games, particularly in the knock-out phases, they would have to look at putting Wayne Rooney up front on his own with one player in behind to get the extra body in midfield. To play a straight 4-4-2 formation against teams like Portugal, Spain, Brazil or Argentina is very difficult; the team would have to be absolutely spot-on its performance to pull it off.

A settled formation or team may evolve over the first few matches, but I imagine there will be changes from game to game.

England's opening game is against the USA on Saturday and it will be very tough. I think it's a game England will just shade, but it won't be a runaway victory by any means. That is the toughest game in the group stages for England without a shadow of a doubt.

We played Paraguay in the first game last time and we just shaded a 1-0 victory; it wasn't easy. The first game is always very difficult. Teams are very hyped-up, well prepared and very determined not to lose. I certainly don't think England will lose.

The winter conditions in South Africa should suit England. If English teams go to Asia or South America they are almost a goal down before they start because the players aren't used to the climate. Our game relies on speed, tempo and energy, and it goes without saying that when it's boiling hot and humid you can't run as far and as fast.

So for us, the conditions in South Africa will help. The raw materials are there for England to do well in this tournament, but they have to keep their players fit and perform.

Potential winners

If I had to make a prediction, I would say the World Cup winners will be one of a few teams: Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and I might be biased but I will say England as well.

Spain are an excellent team, but I have a feeling Brazil may come out on top; they are very powerful and strong.

Italy are a good side but I don't think they can win the World Cup, to be honest. I just don't think it's the right moment for them. I don't want to cause controversy in Malta, but I think England will go further than Italy.

Similarly, I don't see the Germans getting to the final this time. Losing Michael Ballack to injury was a big blow for Germany. He's a big player for them and a match-winner who plays in the free role and is a threat in the air and from long range. They'll miss him.

There is usually a surprise package that does well, and this year I think it could be an African team, either Ivory Coast or Ghana.

Send your World Cup questions to Gary Neville to sunday@timesofmalta.com

(Published in The Sunday Times)