LUNACY

Last updated : 28 June 2006 By Editor

Sven was prepared to play Beckham at right-back, rather than face dropping him. From the Sun:

David Beckham has told Sven Goran Eriksson he is NOT the man to solve England's defensive dilemma.

The idea of moving the captain to right-back, to replace the crocked Gary Neville, was discussed in the build-up to Sunday's victory over Ecuador. But Becks did not feel he would be up to the task for such a crucial game.

In the end, Eriksson decided to keep Beckham in his customary right midfield spot, with Owen Hargreaves switching to full-back instead.

And the decision proved spot-on when Beckham scored the winner with one of his trademark free-kicks to send England through to the last eight.

Now boss Eriksson faces another tough decision ahead of Saturday's showdown with Portugal in Gelsenkirchen.

Neville is slowly recovering from the hamstring strain which has ruled him out of England's last three games.

He trained on his own yesterday with England physios and will now step up his recovery programme.

Eriksson has not yet ruled the Manchester United ace out of contention for Saturday's game.

But if he fails to make it, Eriksson must then decide whether to keep Hargreaves at right-back or recall Jamie Carragher to mark Portuguese danger men Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.