WORLD CUP 2010: Michael Dawson arrives in South Africa and gets straight down to training

05 June 2010 12:28
Michael Dawson was welcomed back into the England fold by Fabio Capello thismorning.[LNB]Less than 24 hours after taking the 'crazy' phone call summoning him to South Africa to replace injured skipper Rio Ferdinand, Dawson jogged onto the training ground at the Royal Bafokeng training complex to become part of England's World Cup mission.[LNB] Welcome to the party: England coach Fabio Capello greets Michael Dawson at training[LNB]Dawson immediately headed for Capello, who shook him warmly by the hand and gave him a congratulatory pat on the back, with John Terry also extending his congratulations.[LNB]Dawson then embarked on a couple of laps around the pitch as his team-mates went through their paces in front of him.[LNB]Still to win his first cap and axed from Capello's 30-man provisional squad last Tuesday, the odds against Dawson lining up alongside John Terry at the heart of England's defence for the Group C opener against the United States next Saturday are fairly high.[LNB]Two of the more plausible contenders, Matthew Upson and Ledley King, were absent from the main training area this morning.[LNB] Good to have you back: John Terry welcomes Michael Dawson to the World Cup[LNB]Upson reported a temperature, although any virus is not thought to be serious, and there were no obvious signs last night.[LNB]Capello is not taking any chances though and the West Ham star was ordered to rest.[LNB]King was training, although his work was restricted to the gym, as the Tottenham captain tends to do in order to get the most out of his delicate knees.[LNB]Once again, Gareth Barry was able to train.[LNB]Capello has vowed not to place the Manchester City man at any risk as he recovers from the ankle injury he suffered against Tottenham at the start of last month.[LNB]And Barry did train on his own this morning in order to maintain his steady progress, which Capello hopes will lead to the 29-year-old being able to train properly immediately after the United States encounter and be available for the second game against Algeria in Cape Town on June 18.[LNB] Oh no, Rio! Freak knee injury ends England captain Ferdinand's World Cup'Cursed' Rio will lead England in Brazil in 2014 insists his agentDawson vows to take his chance after shock call to replace injured FerdinandMARTIN KEOWN: Rio Ferdinand has an aura for England you can't replaceSPORTSMAIL'S WORLD CUP CHANNEL[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail