Stuttgart, Germany (My Sportsbook) - The real test begins for England as the team faces a difficult Ecuador squad on Sunday in the Round of 16 with a large piece of its offense missing.

England will have to find a way to remain unbeaten in the tournament without the familiar face of striker Michael Owen, who is out for the rest of the tournament with a knee injury. The striker fell to the field in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Sweden and was unable to return.

Without Owen, England will have to rely on Peter Crouch and Wayne Rooney up front for a chance to advance into the quarterfinals. England could also turn to 17-year-old Theo Walcott, who has yet to play in a World Cup match. Should Walcott play, he would be the second youngest player ever to play in a World Cup.

The team faces a difficult Ecuador squad that faced the likes of Poland, Costa Rica and Germany in the group stages. The team won its first two group matches by a combined score of 5-0 before losing, 3-0 to Germany to close the group schedule.

Ecuador is making its first-ever Round of 16 appearance in the World Cup. The team debuted in its first World Cup in 2002, but finished fourth in its group for an early exit.

Ecuador has a healthy squad for Sunday's meeting. The team is expected to start Agustin Delgado and Carlos Tenorio in the front line. Delgado is the team's top scorer in the tournament with three goals.

Besides Owen's absence, England has an overall healthy squad ready for the Round of 16 match. Rio Ferdinand is expected to play after recovering from a groin injury.

Sunday marks only the second meeting between the two teams. The first one came just before the 1970 World Cup in a friendly match which England won, 2-0.