Eriksson "very optimistic" that Beckham will play against Sweden

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England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is "very optimistic" captain David Beckham will win his race for fitness in time for the World Cup opener against Sweden on Sunday.

Beckham came through a training session this morning unscathed and could join in with his team-mates later today. Eriksson said: "Everything looks very good today and we are very optimistic, as he is as well, for Sunday."

The midfielder is yet to train fully with the rest of the England squad in Japan after breaking a bone in his foot in Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final against Deportivo La Coruna in April.

Eriksson also reassured England fans his team will improve on disappointing friendly draws with South Korea and Cameroon.

He added: "We have to play better but when you take those two friendly games I think they were too good friendly games, I'm not talking about the result.

"Four, five or six players already know they will play against Sweden so why should they do more than just do a job? They will play better when the World Cup starts.

"Of course we can play better and we'll do that."