Soccer: England get boost with Dyer recovery

England midfielder Kieron Dyer has recovered from a knee injury two days before their opening World Cup soccer game against Sweden in group F, manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said yesterday.

Eriksson told a news conference Dyer had passed a fitness test and would not face the heartbreak of being sent home on the eve of the World Cup.

England faced a FIFA deadline of 24 hours before Sunday's group F opener against the Swedes to replace him.

Dyer was the last of Eriksson's walking wounded to return to fitness, with captain David Beckham saying on Thursday he had recovered from a broken foot and would be able to play 90 minutes against Sweden.

After playing Sweden, England face Argentina and Nigeria at the finals being co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

- REUTERS

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

Groups and team lists
Stars
Schedule
Previous winners and key statistics

Interactive graphics:
Groups and team profiles