He was granted permission to return to England to see his pregnant wife, but after arriving back at Heathrow airport, he learned almost immediately that Danny Murphy had been injured in training.

When Murphy’s fracture of the second metatarsal bone in his left foot - the same injury as David Beckham and Gary Neville - was confirmed yesterday, Eriksson had no doubt about summoning Sinclair.

The West Ham winger therefore met up with the rest of the squad today in Osaka and they flew in at the same time from their pre-tournament base in Korea just three days after he had last seen them.

Sinclair insists he is ready to take part in tomorrow’s friendly against Cameroon although his first thoughts were for Murphy.

‘‘I was gutted for Danny when I heard the news as I knew how much it meant to him,’’ revealed Sinclair.

‘‘I was worried about him that he had gone down in training in a freak accident, but then I thought I might get a call.

‘‘Of course I’m happy to be back, although unfortunately it means someone else is injured, but I was still hoping I might get an opportunity.’’

Eriksson has indicated he would be prepared to use Sinclair, probably as a substitute, against Cameroon if he proves his fitness.

‘‘I’d definitely like to play,’’ confirmed the midfielder.

‘‘If I can get a loosener in today then, if called upon, I’ll be looking forward to that game against one of the great African teams.

‘‘My wife has been happy to see me. It’s been nice to be at home for a couple of days.

‘‘She wasn’t well when she got back from Dubai, but my mind is at ease now that I’ve seen her and

seen that she’s okay.

‘‘I’m definitely ready to play in the World Cup.’’

Eriksson, meanwhile, insisted he had not been wrong to allow Sinclair to return home.

‘‘Do I regret him going back? In one way, yes, but in another, no, because he wanted to go home and I could understand that,’’ accepted Eriksson.

‘‘It’s no shame to be the 24th best player in England. Most of the other English players would dream of that.

‘‘But it’s not easy to wait in case one of your friends gets injured. He’s been with us before and is very fit, so there were no discussions about calling him back.’’

Sinclair is one of just four fit recognised midfielders in the squad, together with Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole.

Cole is set to make his first senior start, although Emile Heskey will probably still be required to fill in on the left flank.

Michael Owen will nevertheless still start up front, even though Eriksson was apparently thinking of resting him earlier this week.

Eriksson confirmed: ‘‘I should like to protect all of the players but if they’re fit and don’t have any injury problems, I think you should play them.’’

England captain Beckham, though, has been warned he must be back in full training by next Friday at the latest to have any chance of starting the World Cup opener against Sweden on June 2.

The Manchester United midfielder faces another scan next week on his left foot in order to confirm

the fracture has healed completely before he can hope to kick the ball properly or tackle opponents again.

‘‘He has to be practising fully two or three days before the Sweden game, otherwise he can’t play. It’s been a long time since he last played,’’ stressed Eriksson.

‘‘If I put my hand on my heart, I think he will play but if I put my hand on my head, I don’t know.’’

Dyer, meanwhile, must prove before next weekend the deadline for replacing injured players in the squad that he is likely to play some part in either of the opening two games, or risk being sent home.

‘‘If we think Kieron Dyer’s going to struggle to play against Sweden or Argentina, it’s very doubtful that he’d take part in the World Cup. Then I’d bring somebody else in,’’ added Eriksson.

Neither Dyer nor Beckham will play any part against Cameroon, while Nicky Butt is also doubtful, but Eriksson will otherwise field as near to a first-choice line-up as possible.

Any potential additional call-up, meanwhile, would now go to Blackburn’s David Dunn or Leeds’ Alan Smith, who were yesterday placed on standby.