ENGLAND coach Sven-Goran Eriksson last night revealed that Newcastle's Kieron Dyer was "absolutely destroyed'' after being ruled out of the World Cup.

Eriksson is facing a damaging midfield injury crisis even before leaving for the Far East, with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard a major doubt after aggravating a groin problem.

Gerrard's Anfield teammate Danny Murphy, named as a stand-by when Eriksson announced his squad last Thursday, was immediately called up to take the place of a tearful Dyer, who was stretchered off at Southampton on Saturday with a knee ligament injury after being the victim of a terrible tackle by Tahar El Khalej.

Although Eriksson was still leaving room for Dyer to make a ''miracle'' recovery, that was, in truth, only a way of trying to let the 23-year-old down as gently as possible.

It is appalling luck for Dyer, who has been plagued by injuries for over a year, and Eriksson revealed: ''I spoke to him myself and he is absolutely destroyed.

"He's almost for sure out. It's a knee ligament problem and the doctor thinks it will take at least four weeks before he can start training again.

"Of course it's really bad luck and I feel very sorry for him. He's been extremely unlucky.

''Things like this happen in football, though. You shouldn't try to be a moralist; I'm sure that no-one wanted to hurt another player deliberately.''

Gerrard was forced off against Ipswich with an injury which has been afflicting him since February at least.

He is travelling to see a specialist in Belgium to discover whether he needs an operation, although the chances are that the problem could recur even if surgery is not required.

Even in the best-case scenario, Eriksson cannot realistically count on Gerrard, one of his four world-class players, to be at the hub of his midfield during the whole tournament.

And given that there are doubts remaining over injured duo David Beckham and Nicky Butt, while defender Gary Neville has already been ruled out, the Swede could almost be forgiven for thinking he is cursed.

''Many times in a football team, it happens like destiny.

"If you have one defender injured, the next injury is to a defender. So it has happened with our midfielders,'' he remarked drily.

With so many injury problems, especially as only seven midfielders were chosen in the first place, Trevor Sinclair has been placed on stand-by and will travel with the squad to their training camp in Dubai today.

Eriksson was attempting not to sound too downbeat, although it is difficult to over-state the gravity of the situation.

Indeed, with Beckham not yet confirmed for the opening match against Sweden, England could enter the game with only Paul Scholes fit out of their first-choice midfield.

That inevitably opens doors to the likes of Butt, if fit, Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole, as well as Darius Vassell and Robbie Fowler up front if Emile Heskey is switched to the left-flank role which had been earmarked for Dyer.

But it is scant consolation given the importance of Gerrard to the England side with his energy, passing ability and understanding with Beckham as well as Michael Owen.

Eriksson said: ''Liverpool have been worried about this situation since February but it is actually much bigger than they thought.

''We were aware of it, although maybe not as much as Liverpool. Many times, Steven was left out because of injury and I guess it was always more or less the same problem.

''I have spoken to him and of course he is very down and worried.

"But the best thing, and he said it himself, is that he sees the specialist and then we talk about what is happening.

''Even if he doesn't need to have an operation, we will have to see how quickly he could be fit again and what the chances are that he suffer another problem in a game.''

Eriksson has at least been given brighter news on the recovery programmes of Butt and Beckham, who will also travel to Dubai.

''I spoke to Nicky Butt a few days ago and he was very optimistic. They are both quite sure that they will be okay so let's hope they are right,'' added Eriksson.

''Of course if you tell me that Beckham, Butt, Gerrard and Dyer can't play then we have a real problem, but I don't believe that will happen.''

Eriksson now has precious little time in which to not only lift his players but also discover a new formula.

However, he valiantly insisted: ''I'm not the kind of person who sits down crying. It was bad luck, but we will do a good World Cup. If Gerrard can't play then another player will. We can say today it's bad luck, but you will not hear me talking again about the players still in England because that's negative thinking.

''If you wake up crying in the morning then it will never be a good day. It'll rain on your head before the evening comes.''

The England coach can, however, consider himself drenched with bad luck already.

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