HE might be no stranger to the curse of the broken metatarsal himself, but David Beckham has insisted he will enter this month's World Cup in better shape than ever.

Four years ago, it was the England skipper who was battling his way back to fitness after breaking his foot in the build-up to the finals.

Unlike Wayne Rooney, who is almost certain to miss the group stage of this summer's tournament after fracturing his metatarsal, Beckham made it on to the field for England's opening game of the 2002 World Cup.

He went on to feature in all five of his side's games and even scored the winner against Argentina, but his lack of fitness severely hampered his performance. Four years on and foot problems are again overshadowing England's preparations.

This time, they do not affect Beckham and, as his match-winning display in Tuesday's win over Hungary proved, he has rediscovered the form that once made him England's number one asset.

"I feel like I'm really ready for this tournament," said Beckham, who is approaching his third World Cup. "Physically and mentally I feel great and I'm not going into the competition with any injuries.

"Hopefully I can get through the game on Saturday (against Jamaica) injury-free and then I'll feel great going into this World Cup."

Beckham's star has waned since the high point of his sensational display against Greece in October 2001, with his displays on the international stage having become increasingly more peripheral.

The emergence of the likes of Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard has undoubtedly stolen his thunder, but the 30-year-old has hardly helped himself by repeatedly drifting infield into an already-crowded central area.

Too many of Beckham's recent performances have seen him caught between two stools - on the one hand he wants to be pulling all of the strings from central midfield, but on the other Eriksson needs him to perform an orthodox right-wing role.

Tuesday's display was skewed more towards the latter, with his team-mates reaping the benefit as Gerrard scored England's opener from a Beckham cross after both Joe Cole and Michael Owen had gone close from previous centres.

"That's what I'm there for and that's what all of the wingers are there for - to supply crosses and to set up goals," said Beckham, in the kind of self-deprecating tone that has not always sat easily with him in the past.

"Luckily, I had a couple of chances to put in decent crosses and we scored from them.

"On another night, it could be Joey on the other side that sets the goals up with balls like that."

Yet while Beckham seems happy in his right-wing role, others are being asked to play in positions that appear less comfortable to them.

Jamie Carragher did not look wholly comfortable in the holding role, although Gerrard did enough to suggest he could yet be an effective replacement for Rooney as England's second striker.

"We have to have different options going into this World Cup," said Beckham. "We have to be able to play in different formations and it's good to try things like that.

"It's not a case of it being too late to try things - I think it's always good to see the options. That's what friendlies are about."

Gerrard certainly seemed comfortable with his new role and, after pleading with Eriksson to play him in a more prominent attacking position, the Liverpool midfielder justified his promotion ahead of club-mate Peter Crouch.

While Eriksson was reluctant to confirm that Tuesday's starting line-up would also kick off this month's World Cup opener against Paraguay, Gerrard is certainly in the running to partner Owen.

"Does it excite me to play there? What do you think? Of course I'm excited about it all," said Gerrard, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday.

"I enjoy getting into the box and scoring goals. I've waited for a long time to get a chance in a forward role and I enjoyed it immensely.

"I've played in that role for Liverpool and I've played in five or six different positions this season. I find it quite comfortable to adapt.

"I'm never going to be as good as Wayne Rooney in that position but, if he's not fit for the first couple of games, I'm prepared to give it my best shot."

If Rooney's second scan on his metatarsal, scheduled for next Wednesday, reveals bad news, Gerrard could yet spend the whole of the tournament playing up front.