Dyer fit to stay at World Cup say England

England say Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer is fit to play at the World Cup finals.

England had placed two players on stand-by ahead of today's player registration deadline after Dyer suffered a knee injury in Newcastle's final Premiership game of the season earlier this month.

Dyer could have ben sent back to the UK if he had failed to prove his fitness by tody but coach Sven Goran Eriksson says the winger is fit and he may feature as a substitute against Sweden on Sunday in the opening game.

"Everything is okay and we are going to keep these 23," Eriksson said today.

"He's fit enough to play."

"When we left England it seemed very bad for him but he has worked very, very hard.

"He has spent up to seven hours a day getting fit."

Dyer may now be used as an option on the left side of the team by Eriksson although he may not be risked from the start against the Swedes with Emile Heskey already named by Eriksson as a certain starter at the weekend.