Beckham bounces into contention

Published on Saturday 18 May 2002 01:00

DAVID Beckham was yesterday battling his way back to fitness as he and his international colleagues received a warning of the tough conditions they will have to overcome if they are to win the World Cup.

Beckham was put through a 30-minute session on a mini trampoline as he continued his pre-planned recovery programme after breaking the second metatarsal bone in his left foot.

The England skipper bounced repeatedly on his left foot to cushion the injury, allowing him to kick balls with his right foot to get himself back into shape.

England manager Sven Goran Eriksson is said to be pleased by the progress made by Beckham and Nicky Butt, while Sol Campbell, who is resting a gashed shin, was the only other player not to take part in yesterday’s training session in Dubai.

The squad leave their luxury hotel his morning to fly to Korea, where they will be based for a further week and will play a warm-up game against the joint World Cup hosts.

While their wives, families and partners fly home, Kieron Dyer is due to join up in a bid to prove his fitness after making remarkable progress from a knee injury.

Dyer was due to fly last night on a plane laid on by British Airways with only eight fellow passengers, all from the Football Association, including chief executive Adam Crozier and vice-chairman David Dein.

They were due to land at 9am local time today in Dubai, giving them time only for a shower at the squad hotel before setting off back to the airport to take the same plane on a nine-hour flight to Korea.

Training was then due to take place late tomorrow afternoon, although Dyer’s fitness tests are not scheduled to start until Monday as he will need time to recover from the flights.

The Newcastle midfielder will also be behind his team-mates in getting used to the time difference and the baking hot conditions in the Far East.

After all, the England squad have been warned they will lose up to half a stone in weight during matches at the World Cup, apart from their group game against Argentina, which will be played inside a climate-controlled dome.

The England medical staff have been weighing all players before and after their training sessions in Dubai, where even a gentle jog results in a minimum 2lb weight loss.

Gareth Southgate revealed how the players had been boosted by the news of Dyer’s impending arrival, even though it could spell World Cup heartache for Trevor Sinclair, who will remain with the squad on standby.

"We’ll certainly keep our fingers crossed for Kieron. He’s had his fair share of injuries but he’s a fine player if fit," added the Middlesbrough defender.