Sachin Tendulkar believes batsman Eoin Morgan and spinner Graeme Swann could be key to England winning the Ashes.

The India great is backing the tourists to edge the series in Australia, whom he feels rely heavily on captain Ricky Ponting.

Morgan is not certain to be in the England XI for the first Test, but Tendulkar is a fan of the 24-year-old.

"I think England have a better chance. I favour them slightly," he said in an interview with the Guardian.

"I would say Morgan could the the key performer in the Ashes. Morgan and Swann."

Referring to Morgan, he said: "He's a very solid player who can control the pace of his innings. He can become a really good Test batsman even though he's only played a few Tests so far.

"After Morgan you've got the experience of (Andrew) Strauss, (Paul) Collingwood and (Kevin) Pietersen.

"They're a really well-balanced side and this is a great opportunity for England."

Regarding Australia, Tendulkar added: "They still have world-class players but their batting revolves around Ponting. When you want to create a vacuum in their batting you need to get Ponting."