WARRINGTON'S World Cup winner Roger Hunt believes Sven Goran Eriksson's England side have a great opportunity to win the trophy this year.

England kick off their 2006 World Cup campaign against Paraguay in Frankfurt on Saturday at 2pm and former Liverpool striker Hunt, who played in every game in the famous triumph of 1966, thinks they have a side capable of winning the tournament in Germany.

The 67-year-old from Croft said: "I think we have a chance because a lot of the team have played a lot of international football and that is important.

"They are at the right age, with a pretty solid defence and a very good midfield, although they have been unlucky up front with injuries to Rooney and, to a lesser extent, Owen.

"There are four or five teams that can win it and we are one of those.

"And it would be nice if we could because it's the 40th anniversary of our victory.

"Playing in Europe will also suit the European teams. It's a great opportunity for us to win it."

Hunt, who remains Warrington's most successful footballer after scoring more than 300 goals for Liverpool, Bolton and England between 1959 and 1972, will be in Munich for the tournament's opening match tomorrow, Friday, between Germany and Costa Rica after FIFA decided to invite all the previous World Cup winning squads to the opening ceremony.

The man who started his career at Stockton Heath - now known as Warrington Town - has revealed his special affection for the tournament.

"It is special to me," said Hunt. "It was very special in 1966 but it doesn't sink in until years afterwards.

"You don't realise the importance of it and how highly the World Cup is held throughout the world until much later.

"People do stop me in the street a bit more at this time of year and want to ask questions.

"I think there's more hype these days and it seems to go on a lot longer. World Cup fever seems to get madder every four years!"

But Hunt has warned the current England team of the threat posed by Paraguay, who he compares to England's first opponents in 1966.

He said: "The first game in 1966 was disappointing because we had a 0-0 draw against Uruguay.

"They just came to defend, which I think Paraguay might do, and we couldn't break through.

"It was a bit of an anti-climax because the Press had built things up like they are doing now.

"But as long as you get through the group it's not important to play brilliantly.

"We weren't terrific at the start in 1966 but we didn't look like losing and I think if England play like that and get through, usually teams gather pace and start playing better as the tournament goes on."