Brady gets the nod

Brady (right) has made the AFC's Pro Bowl team

Tom Brady was given a clean bill of health after a workout on Wednesday and was given the nod as New England's starting quarterback for Super Bowl XXXVI.

Brady injured an ankle in the AFC Championship game against Pittsburgh, and Drew Bledsoe came in and turned in a match-winning performance.

But Brady has recovered and will regain his place in the team.

"It's feeling good," said Brady of his ankle.

"Practice was good. Everything felt good."

I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team win

Drew Bledsoe

Patriots coach Bill Belichick made the decision after careful consideration of the practice session.

"Tom Brady demonstrated in practice that he is fit to play," Belichick said. "He will be our starting quarterback on Sunday."

The 24-year-old will become the third-youngest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history.

It was obviously a disappointment for Bledsoe: "To be honest it's what I expected," he said.

"But I will be ready to play. The bottom line is I have been to this game and lost.

"It's a horrible feeling. I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team win."

Bledsoe was the starter when the year began but suffered internal bleeding after taking a severe blow in the second game of the season.

By the time he had recovered, Brady had become firmly installed as first choice.

St Louis were also boosted by the news that left tackle Orlando Pace will be able to play.