DAVID Beckham will be fit for England's opening World Cup match against Sweden in Saitama on 2 June according to a report in London today.

The England captain has made such rapid progress from a broken bone in his left foot that he now looks a certainty for the start of the campaign in Japan says the Evening Standard.

Earlier this week Sir Alex Ferguson predicted that the Manchester United midfielder would probably be fit for the second group match against Argentina.

But Standard Sport can reveal that Beckham is so confident of his fitness that he is considering a return to light jogging as early as tomorrow, at least a week ahead of schedule.

He will be examined further by the Old Trafford medical team before a final decision is made.

For the rest of this report from the Evening Standard click HERE