Kieron Dyer was on the verge of winning his own Battle of Wounded Knee last night after coming through his first full England training session in the Far East.

The Newcastle midfielder took a huge step towards convincing Sven-Goran Eriksson that he should remain part of England's World Cup squad when he joined his teammates, including David Beckham, in yesterday's workout.

Eriksson told Dyer he had until tomorrow to convince him he would be fit enough to play a part in next Friday's match with Argentina, England's second group game, or he would be sent home and replaced by Blackburn's David Dunn.

But Dyer appeared certain to beat that deadline yesterday as, for the first time since the squad assembled this month, all 23 players trained together.

While England's Group F opener against Sweden on Sunday appears to have come too soon for Dyer, the 23-year-old is on course to force his way into Eriksson's plans for the Argentina fixture.

It is a massive boost for the England coach and for Dyer, who has won just nine caps in a stop-start international career which began in September 1999.

Dyer has made just one appearance under Eriksson, against Paraguay last month, but he should add to that paltry tally in the Far East.

England assistant coach Steve McClaren said: "Kieron's trained with the team for the last two sessions and he's made some great progress over the last few days.

"It's a big time for Kieron because he's got two days to prove he can play some part in the World Cup.

"But if you saw him in the hotel and at training, you'd see his big smile is back.

"The intensity and focus in the squad has been really apparent this week. But with David Beckham and Kieron, it has added that bit extra spice and focus from the players."

Having been subjected to an horrendous run of injuries, with Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville both ruled out of the World Cup, Eriksson's masterplan is slowly coming together.

Beckham is lacking match practice, having not kicked a ball in anger since breaking his foot more than seven weeks ago, but his return to the training ground from the treatment table has galvanised the entire squad.

Nicky Butt is also expected to be fit for Sunday's game but it it the likely availability of Beckham which has excited Eriksson and the rest of the England camp.

McClaren, who worked with Beckham for more than two years as Sir Alex Ferguson's No 2, added: "David's like a kid with a new toy. He has a beaming smile and that has rubbed off on the rest of the squad.

"David is a big-time player. He's already captain of England and no-one has more determination to prove himself on the biggest stage than him.

"That's where he wants to be, where he wants to prove he's a world-class player and where he's got to produce.

"Many people get opportunities but you have to be ready to take them.

"He's been out for seven weeks but he's had that rest, so he's fresh and can only improve from now on. It's not just about Sweden, but about Argentina and Nigeria as well.

"I know David very well and I've seen him come back from injuries with very little training, and this has been no different.

"He's come through the past two days' training with no reaction, so he's now on course for Sunday.

"David's the captain, a major player and a big influence.

"Now that he's back, there's definitely a buzz around the place.