Eriksson urges Dyer peace pact
Newcastle fans have been enraged by reports that Dyer refused to play on the right flank ahead of last Saturday’s Premiership game at Middlesbrough.
He was therefore roundly booed by large sections of the St James’ Park crowd every time that he touched the ball as a second-half substitute in England’s 3-0 friendly win against Ukraine.
Eriksson declared: “I have talked to Kieron and he seems relaxed. I’m sure he’s disappointed about it - and I feel sorry for him - but I think he handled it very well.
“He went on playing and did very well. I hope that he will go on playing for Newcastle and doing well.
“Hopefully there can be love between the crowd and Kieron Dyer again, and the fans will be happy with him again.”
Dyer, who could be sold if clubs are willing to pay £8million, seems unlikely to win back the Newcastle fans unless he issues a public apology.
Even Dyer’s appearance was overshadowed by not only David Beckham’s match-winning display but also the superb debut of Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Wright-Phillips scored a superb solo effort on 72 minutes to set the seal on a recovery act by England after they had been outplayed before Beckham rediscovered his best form.
Beckham scored his first international goal for 11 months on 26 minutes before setting up his new Real Madrid team-mate, Michael Owen, just after half-time.
He expressed his own sympathy for Dyer, admitting: “I was pretty surprised as, living in Spain, I don’t hear much about what’s going on here. But it’s a shame because I think he gives a lot to Newcastle. I’m sure it will all be sorted out.”
As for Wright-Phillips’ exciting debut, meanwhile, Beckham observed: “He has been doing it week-in week-out for City. He deserves his chance and it’s great for him to score today.”
Eriksson added: “Shaun Wright-Phillips has incredible pace, good technique, he’s a very positive player and I’m very happy for him.
“To have a debut like that must be a dream for every English schoolboy or young player. It was absolutely perfect. He took his goal very well.”
Wright-Phillips, 22, nevertheless immediately set his sights on staying in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers. “It’s absolutely everything I’ve always wanted - to become a footballer and play for England, so to get a goal on my debut tops it off,” he said.
: James, Neville (Johnson 45), Terry, King, Cole (Carragher 61), Beckham, Butt (Wright-Phillips 53), Lampard (Jenas 74), Gerrard (Dyer 45), Owen, Smith (Defoe 45).
: Shovkovsky, Federov, Rusol, Yezerskyi, Nesmachny (Radchenko 63), Tymoschuk, Shelayev, Vorobey, Rotan (Zakarliuka 67), Husev (Kormiltsev 63), Shevchenko (Voronin 53).
: M McCurry (Scotland).
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