Eriksson may rest Beckham

Sven-Goran Eriksson may be thwarted in his desire to play his intended World Cup line-up in either of the pre-tournament friendlies by his need for caution over the fitness of captain David Beckham.

Eriksson, who was in Dubai with the squad today at their training base, was awaiting the official verdict on Steven Gerrard’s fitness following a scan in Belgium.