Beckham on course for Sweden clash - Eriksson

Fears that David Beckham could miss the first two of England’s group games have been dismissed by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Reports earlier today suggested the Manchester United midfielder would not be fit to face either Sweden, on June 2, or Argentina, five days later.

However, Eriksson is confident that Beckham’s recovery from a broken foot is progressing well enough for him to be involved in England’s opening game.

‘‘I really never thought that Beckham would not play. I think he will take part in the World Cup,’’ said Eriksson after today’s 2-2 draw in the friendly with Cameroon in Kobe.

‘‘We hope and plan to have him on the pitch next Sunday against Sweden.

‘‘He was running today and is going to do some more work this evening. Hopefully by the middle of week he will be able to come onto the pitch and play football with us.’’

The coach was also hopeful that the injury crisis which has ravaged his squad was beginning to ease.

Beckham’s fellow midfielders Nicky Butt and Kieron Dyer are also struggling to overcome injury problems but Eriksson believes that they too should be ready to play by the end of the week.

‘‘I think the first of them to be fit might be Nicky Butt and then we will see,’’ he added.

‘‘I don’t think it is a big problem for him. Then we hope to see Beckham and Dyer back for Sunday.

‘‘They could all be fit. They have been injured a long time and we have to see what happens but I am optimistic.’’

Eriksson was pleased with his side’s work-out in Kobe, in which England earned a draw with goals from Darius Vassell and another recently injured player in Robbie Fowler.

Cameroon twice led with well-taken strikes from Samuel Eto’o and Geremi but England hit back in a largely low-key affair to grab a share of spoils with Fowler’s injury-time header.

Reflecting on a second draw in a week, Eriksson said: ‘‘The result is not that important in a friendly one week before the World Cup starts.

‘‘We did some good things but there are some things we must do better. It has been very good to play Korea and Cameroon and meet different kinds of football.

‘‘It is good luggage to have in the locker for the World Cup.

‘‘There are no easy games today. Korea played good football and we knew if we gave Cameroon space and time they would be good on the ball and that is nice football to see.

‘‘The teams taking part in the World Cup are good teams and it is nice to have had these games.’’

Fowler hailed his equaliser for England but admitted ‘‘Now we have to step up a gear’’.

The Leeds striker came on with 15 minutes left and showed his predatory instincts by heading home in the dying seconds of injury-time.

Fowler said: ‘‘It was touch and go about playing. My hip was still a bit niggly but the manager thought a 10 to 15-minute run might do me good. I was pleased.’’

Asked if he felt he could be in the starting line-up against Sweden next Sunday, Fowler said: ‘‘It will be hard for me. Michael Owen and Darius Vassell are playing well but I am not a bad player. I am confident of what I can do.

‘‘If I have niggles I will tell the manager. I have to be 100%.’’

He added: ‘‘There has been a lot of talk about the pitches not being ideal. The pitch was sticky but we handled it better today than against Korea.

‘‘Now the tournament starts and we have to step up a gear.’’

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves said: ‘‘It was a tough game and conditions were a bit warmer. We struggled in the first half to find a rhythm. It took a lot of energy out of us.’’