Hampshire's Justin Rose believes he is capable of ending England's 17-year wait for a major champion and 43-year search for a US Open winner, at Merion, this weekend.

Rose carded a second-round 69 to move to level par and just one shot behind joint leaders Billy Horschel and Phil Mickelson.

Nick Faldo was the last Englishman to win a major, at the 1996 US Masters, while Tony Jacklin's US Open triumph came back in 1970, but Rose feels "deep down" he has the ability to join them in the history books.

"I feel that I'm capable of a good week and a big week," he said. "And I feel like I'm capable of winning these tournaments now.

"I'm not going to get ahead of myself one little bit. I think that's part of learning your trade, not get past Friday night. There's so much golf to play but deep down I believe I can win."

Rose's compatriots Luke Donald and Ian Poulter were also firmly in contention as the delayed second round came to a conclusion on Saturday morning in Philadelphia.

Donald completed an opening 68 on Friday morning and then added a second round of 72 to finish level par and also be just one shot behind leading duo Mickelson and Horschel.

Horschel had set the target after a 67 and looked like leading on his own until Mickelson birdied the 18th just seconds after the siren signalled play had been suspended for the day.

That gave the five-time US Open runner-up a round of 72 and meant just two players finished the day under par, with Poulter alongside his Ryder Cup team-mates Rose and Donald on level with four holes to play.