Dyer facing crunch moment in fitness battle.

Last updated : 19 May 2002 By Luke Thornhill
"The knee is fine, I'm feeling good and I'm in with a good chance of passing the fitness test, but it is impossible to say for definite," said Dyer about his chances of making the World Cup which starts in less than a fortnight.

"After the Southampton game last Saturday I thought I was out of the World Cup and I was very low and let's just say I was far from impressed with the tackle that injured me."

Southampton's left back El Tahar received an instant red card for the terrible tackle which saw Kieron stretchered off.

Despite initial fears that he would miss the forthcoming tournament, Dyer has responded well to treatment and now could still be playing out in the Far East.

This would be a welcoome boost for England, with Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville both ruled out, David Beckham is still by no means assured of full fitness.

"I was in a lot of pain and could hardly move my knee. I sat in a taxi going back to Ipswich just trying to stay positive. It wasn't much fun," explained Dyer.

"But when I woke up on Sunday morning the pain had subsided and I had a lot of the movement back. I knew then that I was still in with a shout of making it. Fortunately, although the original diagnosis was that I would be out for six weeks, Mr Eriksson left the door ajar for me.

"The treatment has gone well and I just have to keep my fingers crossed that I'm passed fit, as obviously I want to play in the World Cup. It is every player's dream, it is the biggest football stage of them all and they only come around once every four years.

"I missed out on Euro 2000 and I don't want to miss out on another major championship. If I do I will have to deal with it. I've already prepared myself for such a disappointment after the Southampton game, so I know what to expect."