Monk prays for Beckham fitness

Given the injury problems afflicting the England squad, it is probably just as well that there are prayers being said for David Beckham’s fitness at the largest Buddhist temple in Asia.

Just a few miles from Sven-Goran Eriksson’s base on the island of Jeju, lanterns were lit at the Yakcheonsa temple earlier this week with the names of the England and Korean players inscribed upon them.

Head monk Seong Kong did so to wish both sides equal amounts of good fortune in the friendly between Korea and England, which promptly resulted in a 1-1 draw.

He also prayed that neither of the two sides suffered any injuries, which as far as Ashley Cole and Danny Murphy were concerned has not exactly worked to perfection.

However, Kong, whose favourite players are Beckham and Korea captain Myung Bo Hong, is still hoping the England skipper recovers full fitness ahead of the tournament.

Kong, a keen football follower whose sermon hall contains 18,000 Buddha statues, added: ‘‘We prayed for a successful game for both sides and no injuries.’’