Beckham set to face Swedes

David Beckham will be fit for England's opening World Cup match against Sweden in Saitama on 2 June.

The England captain has made such rapid progress from a broken bone in his left foot that he now looks a certainty for the start of the campaign in Japan.

Earlier this week Sir Alex Ferguson predicted that the Manchester United midfielder would probably be fit for the second group match against Argentina.

But Standard Sport can reveal that Beckham is so confident of his fitness that he is considering a return to light jogging as early as tomorrow, at least a week ahead of schedule.

He will be examined further by the Old Trafford medical team before a final decision is made.

They may decide that this week is premature and if that is the case Beckham will step up his rehabilitation early next week. But even if the resumption of light training is delayed, the news of his fitness will come as a major boost to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. It was feared when Beckham was injured against Deportivo La Coruna last month, in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, that Beckham would struggle to be fit for England's group games.

Eriksson insisted all along that he would name him in the squad for the finals that he announces tomorrow in the hope that he would be fit to play some part.