MIDDLESBROUGH defender Gareth Southgate is backing "maverick'' midfielder Joe Cole to be England's secret World Cup weapon.

The 20-year-old West Ham star is hoping to emulate the impact of Geordie genius Paul Gascoigne during the 1990 tournament in Italy.

Southgate, also named this week in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the Far East, said: "Joe is a very special player. He's somebody who offers something completely different to anyone else in the country.

"That sort of maverick will be a great asset if you want to bring someone on to change the course of a game.

"But the manager might start with him - I'm sure that's an option he wanted to have.

"Gazza was a bit more established as an international player going into the tournament 12 years ago.

"Obviously the spotlight is on Joe because of the type of player he is, but hopefully we won't put too much pressure on him.

"He's a very young lad and inexperienced at this level.

"But the experience of going to the World Cup will be great for him and I'm sure if he starts he won't let anyone down.''

* Sven-Goran Eriksson was yesterday holding discussions as to whether David Beckham and Nicky Butt should join the rest of his World Cup squad at their Dubai training camp, writes MARK BRADLEY.

Beckham is holding a farewell party for the 23-man squad tomorrow ahead of their departure the following day. The England coach would ideally be keen to keep his players together at their training camp to maintain squad spirit as he is finally able to focus on the World Cup.