England update

Charlton striker Darren Bent scored in front of England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to strengthen his World Cup hopes.

Bent's penalty for the Addicks helped them to a 3-1 win at the Valley against Newcastle United for whom Scott Parker hit a unstoppable 30-yard swerving drive. 

Up at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney scored the 50th goal of his career and solid-as-ever Gary Neville played his 500th match as Manchester United beat Birmingham 3-0.

On Saturday, John Terry was influential in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Manchester City, having one header superbly saved and keeping a clean sheet at the other end. Joe Cole and Frank Lampard were also involved.

Not such a good weekend for Steven Gerrard, who was sent off for two bookable offences in the first-half of a rumbustious Merseyside derby against Everton. But Peter Crouch helped set up two of the goals as Liverpool won 3-1.

West Ham's England Under-21 star Nigel Reo-Coker scored a last-minute winner at Wigan - but later admitted that Wigan's Jimmy Bullard actually got the touch.

Form guide

Luis Garcia strengthened his claims for a place in the Spain squad with an exquisite goal for Liverpool, while Australia's Harry Kewell also scored a stunning effort in their 3-1 victory over Everton.

Kewell's international teammate Tim Cahill scored for Everton and was their outstanding player, while Mark Viduka scored in Middlesbrough's 4-3 victory over Bolton on Sunday - so it was a good weekend for the Aussies.

Holland's Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink continued his excellent goalscoring spree with two goals for Boro. And Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba scored twice, and made all the headlines, in Chelsea's 2-0 victory Manchester City to take his tally for the season to 13.

Injury Update

Ledley King has handed England a boost by revealing he has recovered from a knee problem that dogged him earlier in the season - and he will not need surgery.

King feared he would need an operation in May to put the problem right in time for the World Cup. But now he has been given the all-clear.

Italy are confident that key man Francesco Totti will recover from a broken leg in time to play in the World Cup Coach Marcello Lippi said: "Totti is making good progress and I am confident he will recover in time. Seventy per cent of his recovery is done and I think he will be back before the season ends."

Italy's Alessandro Del Piero is out of the Champions League clash against Arsenal in midweek with a thigh injury. But the Serie A club say it is a short-term problem.

Quotes

Ronaldinho backs Brazil's Ronaldo to return to form at the World Cup: "I firmly believe Ronaldo will be 100 per cent fit and on top form. He'll be a star for us again."

Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop wants at new contract at West Ham at the age of 37: "I've changed my mind about my future. I don't want to be drawing my pension just yet.

I'm enjoying my football and I'd love a new contract."

Is there any World Cup news that we have missed from the weekend? Please let us know what players you saw in the last few days that you feel could make their mark in Germany, simple click here