Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will leave his decision on whether to start Didier Drogba against Brazil until the last hours leading up to Sunday's Group C match at the World Cup.

Drogba, who broke his right arm in a warmup match against Japan on June 4, came off the bench and wore a special cast on his arm in the 1-1 draw with Portugal in Ivory Coast's opening match.

"We will decide tomorrow ... He has been practicing," says Eriksson.

Regardless of the composition of the starting line-up, Eriksson is confident there'll be unity in the team.

"I've never had such a smiling, happy team in my coaching career," says Eriksson, who has managed England and Mexico at international level.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP