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Sven Goran Eriksson claims he would drop captain David Beckham if the Real Madrid midfielder did not merit a place in the team.

Beckham has played every tournament match since Eriksson became England coach, although there is a growing body of opinion that would like to see the captain dropped from the starting line-up.

“I have taken David Beckham off before,” said Eriksson. “I will do it again if I think he’s not doing the job.

“He doesn’t have any favours just because he’s the captain.

“He is treated the same as all the other players in every way – at the dinner table, on the bus, tactically, in training, in a match.

“I’m prepared to do whatever I need to do if I see things are going wrong. I will do whatever is required.”

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s second round clash with Ecuador, Beckham would not be drawn on his current form.

“There are agendas out there but my agenda is to win the World Cup for this team,” he said.

“We’re in a very good situation, in the last 16 and very confident going into the game.

“I’m not sitting here to discuss my own form – that’s for you guys.”

Eriksson refused to heap any blame on his captain, who was held responsible in some quarters for Sweden’s opening goal in the 2-2 draw on Tuesday.

“I’ve not spoken to him about it but I will do,” said the England coach.

“If it had to happen, that was the right game for it to happen in. We conceded two bad goals and, if you want to find who is to blame, blame me, please.”

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