Soccer: Swedes aren't savages says Eriksson

By GLENN MOORE

KOBE - England coach Sven Goran Eriksson last night said he trusted his countrymen not to target David Beckham's newly-healed left foot when England open their World Cup programme against Sweden on Sunday.

The England captain looks set to play in Saitama, despite being out of action for more than seven weeks with a broken metatarsal bone.

Although Beckham, who joined the squad for training for the first time on Tuesday, will be involved in full-contact sessions before Sunday, the injury is unlikely to be fully tested before then.

In the match he will face such uncompromising players as Johann Mjallby, of Celtic, but Eriksson said: "It is sport. I would never tell a player to target an opponent who had been injured, and I think other managers would be the same."

Since Eriksson is an old friend of Sweden's co-coaches, Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg, his faith may be vindicated.

Of greater concern to English supporters will be the following match, against Argentina.

Their team will probably include Diego Simeone, who provoked Beckham into being sent off at the last World Cup, but Eriksson said: "I would not expect any team to target Beckham."

Eriksson was more upbeat than for weeks yesterday as he described his sense of relief at Beckham's recovery.

"When I saw him practise today I was very happy. David was running and smiling. When we got back to the hotel the other players asked how it went. They were also happy."

The news that Beckham was on course to play his first match in more than seven weeks gave the squad a visible lift when they trained in the afternoon.

With the benign figure of a 61-metre white Buddha looking on, Beckham, typically, led the warm-up laps around the pitch.

He then took a full part in some ball exercises and a three-cornered mini-match. While he rarely used his left foot, he otherwise seemed comfortable.

"He has not been shooting, or taking hard kicks with his left foot, but he has been passing with it," Eriksson said. "He has done virtually everything with his right foot and there has not been a reaction.

"If things continue to go well he will start. I do not think it will be a risk."

Kieron Dyer was also involved in the training session, making it the first time since naming his squad that Eriksson has been able to work with all 23 players.

However, Dyer remains unlikely to be available on Sunday and Eriksson admitted a decision on whether to replace him would have to be made by tomorrow.

England's coaching staff spent much of their time yesterday working on counter-attacking drills.

- INDEPENDENT

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