Next 48 hours will be crucial for Dyer

KIERON DYER has admitted that the next couple of days are "crucial" in determining whether he will be fit for England’s World Cup opener with Sweden on June 2.

The Newcastle star is continuing to make progress after the knee injury sustained a fortnight ago and is looking to return to full training on Wednesday.

Dyer has set his sights on giving Sven-Goran Eriksson "a headache" for Sunday’s clash, although it is unlikely that he would be risked in the starting line-up after his lay-off. After working out on the pitch ahead of yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Cameroon in Kobe, he said: "It is going extremely well. I am running with no discomfort at all, which is the best sign yet.

"In the next couple of days I’ll be stepping up kicking the ball and, if all goes to plan, I hope to be training on Wednesday. I’m not sure whether or not I will make it for the first game. The next couple of days are crucial."

Dyer insisted that morale was high in the camp, despite the catalogue of injuries which have blighted England’s preparations for the finals.

He said: "There is not really any depression in the squad over the injuries. The team spirit has been fantastic. It’s one of England’s strengths that they all stick together. They stuck with Trevor Sinclair when he was originally named 24th man and then Danny Murphy when he was ruled out. Although there have been disappointments and you feel for people, there have been no disruptions at all."

Dyer remains optimistic that skipper David Beckham will win his fitness fight after weekend reports that he will miss the opening two games with the Swedes and the Argentinians because of the broken bone in his foot.

Dyer: "I think he will make it and he’s looked extremely comfortable. I hope he’s fit because he is a massive player and England need their massive players."

Meanwhile, Trevor Sinclair is determined to make the most of his "second bite of the cherry" after being recalled in place of the homeward bound Murphy.

And the West Ham player has been granted his wish by Eriksson to operate in his preferred left-sided position after telling the England coach that is where he would get the best out of him.

Sinclair looked more at ease in that role against Cameroon after his "nightmare" performance in the previous match against South Korea from the opposite flank.

That preceded his decision to return to England to remain on stand-by after discovering he was not in Eriksson’s initial 23 for the World Cup, but Murphy’s injury has opened the door to him.

Sinclair said: "I didn’t think I would be back out here. I was gutted with the way I performed against South Korea. It was the last game before he named the squad and I thought I had blown my chances.

"But now I’ve got a second bite of the cherry and I am going to take it. I sat down and spoke to Sven and said ‘if you want to get the best out of me, I’d be better on the left-hand side’.

"I felt a lot more comfortable there against Cameroon and, even if I don’t start, I’ll be chomping at the bit and waiting for an opportunity to play some part on Sunday."