Dyer in ‘intensive training’ - Agent

Kieron Dyer is in ‘‘intensive training’’ in a bid to prove his World Cup fitness to England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson by Friday, according to his agent Jonathan Barnett.

The Newcastle midfielder was almost certainly ruled out of England’s 23-man squad for the finals in Japan and Korea after a reckless challenge by Southampton defender Tahar El Khalej on Saturday left him with a knee injury.

But Barnett insists his client has not entirely given up hope of showing he can be fit when England open their World Cup campaign against Sweden on June 2.

He told Sky Sports News: ‘‘Kieron is trying his utmost to get fit for the World Cup.

‘‘He said it’s a little bit better than yesterday, he’s going to have some intensive training and put his whole heart and soul into it, and if anybody can do it, he can.

‘‘Sven has given Kieron until the end of this week, and I’m sure Kieron will do his utmost to go to the World Cup but he won’t if he’s not 100% certain he will be fit to play.

‘‘Kieron is very upset with life at the moment but he is a very determined young man and we need a great deal of work with him to get him right.

‘‘He was crying yesterday, he was devastated, it’s everyone’s ambition to go to the World Cup.’’

Barnett told the Daily Express he and Dyer were considering legal redress against El Khalej and Southampton.

‘‘We have considered legal action, certainly against the player and possibly his club,’’ he said.

‘‘We would like to take some action, but we shall have to be advised by the lawyers on how to quantify the damage.

‘‘There is no doubt a player of Kieron’s standing would lose out on sponsorship endorsements that might not be realised for another four years.

‘‘A successful World Cup might have inspired a big bid from a top European club.’’

However, he told Sky Sports News it was ‘‘not something Kieron and he’’ had spoken about.

He added: ‘‘When Sven calls at the end of the week asking about Kieron, that will be D-Day. We hope that everything will be okay, obviously it’s touch and go but Kieron is a quick healer and I’ve never met somebody so determined.’’