Soccer: Eriksson to call-up Dyer

Sven-Goran Eriksson has indicated that Kieron Dyer will be given a chance to prove his World Cup credentials in next month’s friendly against Holland.

Dyer has not yet been available to Eriksson as he has been plagued by injury ever since the Swede took charge of the national side.

But the versatile Newcastle midfielder, who could be a potential solution for England’s left-sided conundrum, is now fit again after those shin problems.

He has impressed Eriksson with his displays over the past few weeks, putting him at the front of the queue for a call-up to the squad and team for next month’s friendly in Amsterdam.

‘‘I have seen him three times now and he’s playing very well excellent,’’ said Eriksson after arriving in Portugal for today’s draw for the group stages of the Euro 2004 championships.

‘‘I think he can play everywhere in the midfield, even as a second striker if we wanted. So I hope he goes on like that.’’

Dyer has now firmly forced his way into the reckoning as one of seven or eight midfielders who will be chosen in Eriksson’s final 23-man World Cup squad.

One certainty, meanwhile, is David Beckham and the England coach believes the national team will benefit from their captain having recently been dropped by Alex Ferguson.

Beckham has only just regained a regular place in the Manchester United side after losing out before Christmas following a slight back problem and a loss of form.

‘‘David has been rested for some games and that can be very good for him and the national team,’’ said Eriksson, who believes that United’s Scottish boss has effectively done the Auld Enemy a huge favour.

‘‘The season in this country is extremely difficult. You don’t have a winter break like in other countries, such as Italy.

‘‘You play two or three games a week. So every time I see a manager put an England player on the bench now and then, I’m happy.’’

Describing Beckham as a ‘‘perfect’’ captain and player, he added: ‘‘When the season is so long and hard, you can’t expect anyone to be at the top of his form for nine or 10 months.’’

Eriksson will therefore count on Beckham peaking when it really matters for his country this summer, insisting that he has no concerns whether the midfielder has signed a new contract with United by then.

Beckham has yet to reach agreement with United despite protracted talks over a new deal and the issue may now be put on the back-burner until after the World Cup.

Eriksson said: ‘‘Whatever happens, David is very keen, as captain of England, to do an excellent World Cup for himself and his country.

‘‘So I doubt that he will be disturbed by what is happening in Manchester, whether they decide to do it before or after the World Cup. He will still be very focused on the World Cup.’’

Eriksson has nevertheless reassured Beckham that he would not be worried if the England skipper decided to play on the Continent.

‘‘If he leaves England, he will not leave for a second division team in Italy. He already plays for one of the best sides in the world. But if he plays for a big team in Italy or Spain, what is the difference?’’ he added.

As for calls in some quarters for Alan Shearer to come into England consideration again despite his international retirement after Euro 2000, Eriksson saw no need to commit himself either way.

‘‘Alan Shearer took the decision to say no to the national team. I never did it, he did it himself,’’ said the England coach.

‘‘We will see. There are many good strikers around.’’