Dyer raring to go

Dyer has not played for England for 17 months

Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer says he will treat England's match against Paraguay on Wednesday as his international debut if he takes to the field.

Dyer has not played an international match for 17 months and is yet to feature in an England side managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Eriksson is known to be a big admirer of Dyer and many see the Newcastle man as the ideal person to fill England's problem position on the left side of midfield.

Dyer said: "If I play, it will be like a debut. It's been frustrating not being involved because these are exciting times for England.

If we keep the spine of the team fit, then we are a match for anyone

Kieron Dyer

"This is a new beginning for me."

Dyer has played only 10 matches for Newcastle this season, but said that this could be of advantage to him if he goes to the World Cup.

"I could be going into the World Cup fit and healthy," he said.

The former Ipswich player said he would not be putting too much pressure on himself for the friendly on Wednesday night.

Confident

"He (Eriksson) has seen a number of Premiership games I've been involved in, and even if things don't go according to plan against Paraguay, he knows what I am capable of."

Dyer plays in central midfield for Newcastle, but Eriksson is believed to have earmarked him for the left.

Dyer said he would be happy to play in that position for his country.

"I will play anywhere for England," he said. "When Bobby Robson came to Newcastle, I played the first 25 games on the left and I found it very enjoyable."

Dyer, who suffered a metatarsal injury himself, is confident that David Beckham will be fit in time for England's first World Cup group match against Sweden on 2 June.

He said that the side will have a good chance in the competition if key players stay fit.

"I am extremely confident that David will be back as skipper for the game on 2 June.

"If we keep the spine of the team - David Seaman, Rio Ferdinand, the midfield trio of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes and Michael Owen up front - fit, then we are a match for anyone."