Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted Kieron Dyer may not be fit for the start of the World Cup and that England's second game with Argentina may be a more realistic target for the Newcastle winger to make his bow in the tournament.
Dyer is set to undertake his first public training session with England on Wednesday afternoon since suffering his knee injury in a horror tackle by Southampton's Tahar El Khalej 11 days ago.
Eriksson has maintained his faith in Dyer being fit enough to play a part in the 2002 finals by naming him in his final squad of 23, a decision which meant Trevor Sinclair was today flying home to England although he will remain on standby.
But the England coach hinted that the opening match with Sweden on June 2nd may come just too soon for Dyer to feature and that the clash with the Argentinians five days later may be a more viable proposition.
Eriksson said: "We will have to see how quick he can recover. We have some idea. We think maybe the first game - but if not we think that for the second game he will be okay.
"That's a decision we will have to take one or two days before the Sweden game. Is the Argentina game more realistic? We will have to ask the doctors that but maybe, yes that is the case.
"You just never know with an injury like that. Some players recover quicker than other players and I hope Dyer is one of the quicker ones."
Sinclair remains as part of the plans should Dyer suffer a relapse despite Eriksson agreeing to his request to fly back home.
PA