STEWART DOWNING'S hopes of establishing himself in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup 2006 plans have been rocked before a ball has even been kicked on the tour of the United States, writes Paul Fraser.

With so many England regulars unavailable for one reason or another the trip across the Atlantic for a two-game expedition was the perfect platform for young talents to impress.

And Middlesbrough's Downing, yet to start a game for Eriksson after being included in the Swede's previous two squads, would have been one of those to be given an opportunity to shine in America.

However, the Teessider flew back to England last night after hobbling out of a training session with a jarred knee and has had a scan on the problem.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington confirmed: "Downing will be taking no further part in the tour and will return home on Thursday afternoon."

It is a major blow for Downing whose only international cap to date came in the February friendly with Holland at Villa Park - a game in which he was only introduced in the second half.

Now the 20-year-old, widely tipped to become a household name for England on the left wing for years to come, faces the prospect of dropping down the pecking order if other players shine Stateside.

There are no plans for Eriksson to call in a replacement for Downing as there is a belief that Kieran Richardson, Manchester United's youngster who helped West Brom to safety, can fill the void effectively.

But Boro's player of the year will be confident that he can repeat his heroics at club level again next season and force his way back into the England set-up again even when the big guns return.

Tottenham's Geordie midfielder Michael Carrick was another absentee from training yesterday but is expected to have recovered from blisters before tomorrow's opening game with the United States.

While Carrick's Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe is hoping to have the sort of impact at next summer's World Cup that Paul Gascoigne enjoyed 15 years ago in Italy.

Michael Owen has also shown in the past - highlighted by his rise in status following his performances in France '98 - that rising talent can use that stage to prove his worth.

And Defoe is hoping for similar glory in Germany - even if it means breaking up the Owen-Rooney partnership.

"It is going to be hard to get into the front two for the World Cup and all I can do is make sure that next season I have a big year, work hard, score goals and keep doing what I am doing and hopefully get my chance," said Defoe, who has signed a new contract at White Hart Lane after hitting the 20-goal barrier this season.

"I scored against Poland in a two alongside Michael Owen and then I started against Wales but that was with three up front. It is difficult. I've not played in a two for England since the first game but hopefully I will get my chance.

"Can I break up Rooney and Owen? If I get a chance, I'll always be ready. If I am scoring goals at club level then I'll bolster my chances and I'll definitely be ready.

"A player does sometimes emerge in World Cup year like Gazza or Michael. Next season is a massive year for a lot of the players and there are a lot of good forwards around the league.

"It's going to be tough to get into that squad. But it will be good to make that leap forward and be the one that makes things happens and it will be a dream to play in the World Cup.

"Even if Mr Eriksson said to me 'you've got to play on the left' I'd willingly do it because to play for England is the best thing ever."