KIERON Dyer geared up for his international return on Wednesday night by refusing to consider himself as a replacement for David Beckham.

The 23-year-old was hailed in many quarters as England's answer to their problems on the left of midfield, but since Beckham's much-publicised problems with his second metatarsal, he has now found himself touted as a natural successor in a right-sided role.

But Dyer is convinced Beckham will be fit and ready for the Sweden game in Saitama on June 2, and that Eriksson will play him (Dyer) on the left this week, in what will be his first game under the Swedish coach.

He said: "I honestly believe I am going to play on the left on Wednesday, and that is where I might get my chance at the World Cup.

"I am certain David Beckham will be fit in time to play at the finals and he will start on the right - I am sure he will be ready for the first game.

"Sven has tried a number of players on the left but hopefully I will be the latest and I will play well.

"That position, which is a so-called problem position for England, definitely provides me with the best opportunity to get into the team and stay there."

The £20m-rated midfielder was at the centre of a fresh injury scare last week when he limped out of training with Newcastle - but as he explained, it was merely a precaution.

"We were just training on hard ground and I started to get blisters on my foot two days before an important game, and there was no need to risk further damage by carrying on," he said.

"So I just pulled out of training and suddenly I was out of the Derby game and out of the World Cup. But I hope my performance at Pride Park proved I am fine."

Dyer has already played in a number of roles for the national team and his versatility could prove an asset in Japan and South Korea.

He has missed most of England's World Cup qualifying campaign because of his long-running shin splints problem, and he only trained with the national squad ahead of last month's friendly against Italy at Elland Road after returning from his stress fracture of the foot.

But with Eriksson fielding virtually two different teams in that game, Dyer feels it may have been a blessing in disguise.

He said: "It was frustrating when I got called up for the Italy game knowing that I wasn't going to play.

"But having watched the game that might have been for the best. I have read that I am going to start the game (against Paraguay) and hopefully I can take my Newcastle form forward onto the international stage."

And Dyer goes into the game with a glowing endorsement from club manager Bobby Robson who labedlled him "a matchwinner". "He's a terrific player and he's young," he said. "But he's still not at his best.

"The one sure thing is that Sven has a very very good player at his disposal."

England squad: Seaman (Arsenal), Martyn (Leeds), James (West Ham), G Neville (Man Utd), P Neville (Man Utd), Bridge (Soton), Mills (Leeds), Carragher (Liverpool), Southgate (M'boro), Campbell (Arsenal), Ehiogu (M'boro), Scholes (Man Utd), Gerrard (Liverpool), Butt (Man Utd), J Cole (West Ham), Sinclair (West Ham), Lampard (Chelsea), Dyer (Newcastle), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Murphy (Liverpool), Owen (Liverpool), Fowler (Leeds), Sheringham (Tottenham), Vassell (Aston Villa), Jansen (Blackburn