Posted by By Ben Memuletiwon from Germany on
The fear of Dwight Yorke is the beginning of wisdom for England captain, David Beckham. The Real Madrid player feels Yorke poses a 'big threat' to England's hopes of topping Group B, as "he's one of the best forwards around." Sven-Goran Eriksson will face Trinidad and Tobago today, knowing a win will put them firmly in the Group B driving seat.
The fear of Dwight Yorke is the beginning of wisdom for England captain, David Beckham. The Real Madrid player feels Yorke poses a 'big threat' to England's hopes of topping Group B, as "he's one of the best forwards around." Sven-Goran Eriksson will face Trinidad and Tobago today, knowing a win will put them firmly in the Group B driving seat.
England's 1-0 win over Paraguay was followed by Yorke and co earning a shock draw with Sweden, Saturday, and England captain Beckham has warned his teammates to be aware of the threat posed by his former Manchester United teammate.
He said: "Dwight has always been a threat to defenders in any game - he's one of the best forwards around. He's one of the great strikers and has been for many years.
"At United we won the European Cup, the league and the FA Cup - and he was a huge part of that team. It'll be nice to see him - but he's a player we have to be aware of. He's their star player - the one all their players probably look up to because of what he's done outside his country."
Beckham claims he and his teammates appreciate Eriksson's decision to let them spend time with their families at their World Cup training camp.
The Real Madrid midfielder believes the break can be beneficial, as England seek to book a place in the last 16 and said: "We're here to do a job and, hopefully, we'll go all way - but it's always nice to see the families because we are away for five weeks.
"We are taking it seriously but a free day with the family is nice. We've had a day and a half off and it's given us a chance to get rid of blisters and knocks."
Of England's situation, Beckham added: "We always expected it to be a tight group and we always knew there were going to be tough games."
Asked how England would respond to criticism for their second half display in Saturday's 1-0 defeat of Paraguay, he said: "Work hard and get on with our training - that's the only way we can respond.
"If you listen to every bit of criticism as a player its going to affect you - and you can't let that happen."
Beckham expects Michael Owen, who struggled against Paraguay before he was substituted 10 minutes into the second half, to ‘come good'.
"With Michael coming back, 55 minutes was good," said Beckham. He's got his fitness levels back up. Michael will come good, he always does in major tournaments."
The captain believes England's strength in the middle of the park will be key to their progress.
"We're very lucky with our midfield - it's one of the best in Europe, if not the world."
Shaka Hislop will play in goal for Trinidad & Tobago against England in their World Cup Group B match today, Coach Leo Beenhakker said.
Hislop, born in London, was outstanding in Trinidad's 0-0 draw with Sweden in their World Cup debut, Saturday. He had come in as a late replacement after Kelvin Jack was injured during the warm-up before the match.
"Shaka will definitely start against England and is in great form," Beenhakker told reporters.
Hislop took a knock during training, but Beenhakker said it was nothing to worry about. Jack is still injured and is not available for the England game.
Central defender Marvin Andrews, who missed the Sweden game with a knee injury, will not be fit for the England game, the coach added.
Wayne Rooney is unlikely to play in England's World Cup match with Trinidad and Tobago, following speculation he was set to make a dramatic comeback.
British newspapers had reported that Rooney was expected to make a shock appearance from the substitutes' bench in today's Group B game in Nuremberg, where a victory will see England advance to the last 16.
But reports, Tuesday, said Rooney's return was unlikely as medical experts, who said his foot injury had healed, would not fly to Germany to re-assess the player's condition until Friday.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is furious with England counterpart Sven-Goran Eriksson, over the Swede's refusal to rule Rooney out of the tournament until the second round.
United are concerned that Rooney has been rushed back too soon and risks further injury if he is forced to play without being properly match fit.
Rooney, meanwhile, has been training hard and is expected to play a full part in Tuesday's session at England's idyllic Mittelberg training ground.
However, sources within the England camp have said the coaching staff have asked Rooney to ease up and are worried he may injure himself again, while attempting to prove his fitness to Eriksson.