Eriksson optimistic despite injuries

Sven-Goran Eriksson said today he looked forward to starting England's real World Cup preparation once this injury-plagued season is over.

The England coach, who had been hoping to play his strongest team at some stage tomorrow, said: "Unfortunately we have some important injuries but I think if you talk about Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand and Emile Heskey, they are short-term and will be back very soon.

"It's not perfect to not be able in March or April to play your best team but I look forward to the game tomorrow and even more going to Dubai and starting the real preparation with the team and the squad and we can focus on the World Cup."

Regarding David Beckham's injury Eriksson added: "You have to wait until he makes the next x-ray to see how the bone is healing or not. The staff at Manchester United are very, very good and they're doing everything to make him fit."

Eriksson revealed there had been no further injury worries. He added that Paraguay coach Cesare Maldini had agreed to allow five or six substitutions in the game, and he would be contacting him today to see if more would be possible.