Crushing blow to Middle England

Dyer, too, represents a setback of significance, given that he had been considered the perfect candidate for that troublesome left-wing position. Losing him on the final day of the domestic season to a disgraceful challenge by Southampton's Tahar El Khalej left Eriksson feeling particularly disappointed.

'I spoke to Steven last night and I met Kieron this morning,' said Eriksson. 'Steven was very down, and Kieron was also extremely upset. He will return to Newcastle today where he will begin treatment on his knee.

'We'll check on Kieron next Friday or Saturday, just in case he makes a miraculous recovery and, either tomorrow or Tuesday, Steven will see a specialist. It will be decided then if he needs surgery immediately.' Eriksson does not require further information. He knows he will travel to the Far East without them, which is why Danny Murphy has been called into the squad and Trevor Sinclair flies to Dubai as first reserve.

'I talked to Danny when I knew about Kieron and I managed to get hold of Trevor about an hour ago,' added Eriksson. 'He was on the golf course, but he said he would leave right away.'

Beckham's fracture had already sparked countrywide concern, but a nation now also sweats on Butt's damaged knee ligaments. For a Manchester United midfielder so often named among the substitutes at Old Trafford, this has developed into quite a season.

Butt should replace Gerrard as England's midfield enforcer, but the left side again presents Eriksson with something of a problem.

It could be that he chooses one team for Sweden and then makes what he believes are necessary changes for the meeting with Argentina in Sapporo on June 7.

Against the Swedes, England must make use of their pace, which could persuade Eriksson to move Emile Heskey to the left and bring in Aston Villa's Darius Vassell as Michael Owen's strike partner.

In the match with Argentina, however, it might be prudent to take a more pragmatic approach. Injuries have denied Eriksson the opportunity to pick both Wayne Bridge and Ashley Cole in the same side - Cole would go into midfield - but he must now be tempted to try them as a partnership in the remaining warm-ups.

'We have never tried that with England,' said Eriksson. 'But I know that they have played in that position. We have options on the left side, so I'm not so worried. We have two defenders (Bridge and Cole) and a striker (Heskey) who can play in midfield.'

Another alternative is Joe Cole, 20, and Eriksson gave him a few words of encouragement. 'I think Joe is ready for the World Cup stage,' he said. 'If I didn't believe that I'd never have picked him.'

Sinclair provides extra cover, as does Murphy, which must have been all the more painful for Steve McManaman as he prepared instead for Wednesday's Champions League Final with Real Madrid.

If a player of his talent remains in isolation when England's coach is searching desperately for healthy bodies, his crime must have been more serious than we think. Did he really blow it to that extent in 20 minutes of apparent apathy against Albania at St James' Park?

Martin Keown can consider himself more fortunate, not least because a decision to select eight defenders was starting to look like an error of judgment last night.

'We won't know if it was the right thing until after the World Cup,' said Eriksson last week. He knows now that it was probably a mistake, even if he is reluctant to admit it.

'I think we are still well covered,' insisted Eriksson yesterday. 'Two players are out and we have brought two in. It's as simple as that.

'This is a bad day for England, a bad day when we have been hit by some bad luck. We'd already lost Gary Neville, and now this has happened. But after today you won't hear me complaining.

'I'm not one for breaking down in tears. It is important we do not start to feel sorry for ourselves.

'If you wake up crying, it is never going to be a good day. It will rain on your head. I feel sorry for the players who will miss the tournament, but this is the last I will speak of it.' Enough said.