BLACKBURN midfielder David Dunn looks set to miss out on a World Cup call-up after Sven Goran Eriksson's walking wounded took another giant step towards full fitness in Kobe today.
Dunn and Leeds United's Alan Smith -- who are both currently on standby -- will find out for definite in the next 48 hours whether or not they need to make a late dash to the Far East.
But the news emanating from England's training camp this morning would seem to suggest their services will not be required as David Beckham and Kieron Dyer are now both on course to face Sweden on Sunday.
Beckham continued on the comeback trail by taking part in his second full training session with the squad in the last 24 hours.
And Eriksson is confident his skipper will be ready to face the Swedes after recovering from a broken foot, providing he suffers no reaction in the next few days to stepping up his training programme.
In sweltering heat the Manchester United star joined in with the remainder of the 23-strong party with a session of one-touch football and then a game which combined hand-ball and heading.
Beckham, sporting a yellow top, appeared to enjoy being involved with the other players after previously working out on his own since the squad joined up two and a half weeks ago.
It is seven weeks today since the 27-year-old thought his World Cup dreams could be over after he sustained the injury in a Champions League match at Old Trafford.
But the real crunch will come when Beckham actually tackles with the full force of his left foot and only then will Eriksson now for sure his leading light has the all clear to face the Swedes.
The signs are looking encouraging for Eriksson, however, after the despair earlier in the build-up of one injury setback following another.
Midfielder Dyer also took part in a second successive session as he strives to prove he will be fit to remain as part of Eriksson's squad after his knee problem.
Eriksson will decide in the next 48 hours whether the Newcastle player is fit enough to play a part in the World Cup or to draft in a replacement with Dunn and Smith the men waiting in the wings.
Both players are currently working on their own fitness in England in case they get the call but the chances of the phone ringing would now appear to be diminishing by the hour.
"I've been doing a bit of fitness work on my own over the last couple of days but it's more a case of keeping things ticking over, really," said Dunn.
"It hasn't been anything too vigorous, in fact it's given me a chance to relax a bit more.
"I've just been doing a few little runs on my own, really, plus a few weights in the gym in case I get the call."
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