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By Phil McNulty
Our man with England
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Kieron Dyer has been passed fit and will stay with the England squad for the duration of the World Cup.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson announced that the Newcastle midfielder had recovered from the knee injury he suffered on the last day of the Premiership season.
At the time it was suggested he needed a "miracle" to overcome the injury.
But Eriksson said: "He's worked very, very hard. And not only during normal hours - he has been putting in six or seven extra hours a day."
Eriksson is now able to select from a full-strength squad, with all 23 players now 100% fit.
Tears of joy
This is a huge improvement on the situation of a week ago, when there were major doubts over the availability of Dyer, captain David Beckham and Nicky Butt.
Dyer fought back tears as he was finally able to end his World Cup nightmare.
The midfielder's dream looked in tatters after he suffered knee ligament damage at Southampton on the final day of the season.
Dyer has come through a strenuous training regime
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But the gruelling fitness work - sometimes stretching for 16 hours a day - and Eriksson's faith kept Dyer's hopes alive.
It was a clearly emotional Dyer who spoke at England's Japanese headquarters ahead of Sunday's opening World Cup game against Sweden in Saitama.
Dyer, who expects no more than a place on the substitutes' bench against the Swedes, said: "I can't explain how much this means.
"It means my dream has been fulfilled and I'm going to be playing in the World Cup.
"It's down to hard work on the part of myself and the medical staff, with England and Newcastle. I've spent most days getting up at 8am and not getting to bed until midnight.
"It has been down to hard work and dedication and it has paid dividends. The manager asked me was I raring to go and ready to play some minutes against Sweden, and I said I was.
"I have done everything. I've been tackled on the leg by everyone - except Martin Keown because I keep well away from him.
"It's gone extremely well and I've even surprised myself. I think I will start off as a sub against Sweden, but I can't be too disappointed because last week I didn't even think I would be in the World Cup."
Dyer admitted he had suffered low points in his fight for fitness, but felt he was winning his battle after taking part in a warm-up before the match against Cameroon.
He said: "I did work running up and down stairs, and that was the lowest I have felt. I told the manager I would be honest and when he asked me at the hotel how I was, I told him I was still feeling it.
"Then I went out before the Cameroon game for a gentle warm-up, but I felt so good I did some sprinting, then twisting and turning and shooting and that all went well.
"The relief and satisfaction that gave me was unbelievable because Mr Eriksson was willing to put his head on the line for me. I lot of other manager's would have sent me home. It was great and I will never forget what he did for me.
"The manager is ice-cool. He is very relaxed and very confident about England. This is the biggest stage."
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