Irish skipper Trent Johnston -Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (Reuters):

IRELAND CAPTAIN Trent Johnston was confident he would be fit to play against England in their World Cup Super Eights match on Friday.

The Australian-born Johnston, the team's most influential player as seam bowler and hard-hitting lower-order batsman, has been struggling with a shoulder injury and missed the group match against hosts West Indies last Friday.

He only started bowling again yesterday after having a cortisone injection in his left, non-bowling shoulder four days ago.

"I'm hundred per cent sure that I'm going to play, though the physio is 70 per cent sure," Johnston told Reuters.

"I don't want to sit out any more games unless I definitely have to because this is going to be my last World Cup and I want to be a part of this.

"I bowled about a dozen balls today and it went okay and I'll have a bit more of a bowl tomorrow. I have been doing some fitness work and some therapy work on the shoulder just to strengthen it up.

"It's not going to be a problem for Friday. I'll have another fitness test on Thursday, but I'm definitely looking to be part of the game."

Greatest concern

The 32-year-old said diving in the field remained his greatest concern as he could snap a tendon.

Johnston played in the thrilling tie against Zimbabwe and belted a six to clinch victory against 1992 champions Pakistan before having to sit out the final group match.

"I was down that I couldn't play because I had a lot of family and friends there who have now gone back and my parents were over from Australia," he said.

"I was mainly disappointed for them as they watched me twice and paid a lot of money."