Yorke is the danger, says Beckham

BUHLERTAL, Germany, June 13: England captain David Beckham warned today that his former Manchester United team mate Dwight Yorke will provide the World Cup threat when they face Trinidad&Tobago.

The two men were together at Old Trafford from 1998 to 2002, famously being a part of the Treble-winning season in 1999 when United won the European Cup.

Though Yorke, now 34, has left English football for Sydney FC in Australia and plays a deeper role for the Soca Warriors behind the strikers, Beckham senses danger ahead in Thursday's Group B game.

''Yorkie's always been a threat to any defenders and any team he comes up against,'' Beckham told a news conference on Tuesday.

''He's a great lad, but also he's one of the best strikers around and has been for may years.

''The time I spent with him at United was amazing -- we won the European Cup, we won leagues, FA Cups and he was a huge part of that team. It'll be nice to see him.'' While England beat Paraguay 1-0, Trinidad&Tobago earned a 0-0 draw against much-fancied Sweden on Saturday despite being reduced to 10 men.

Beckham made it clear England will be taking nothing for granted in Nuremberg but were determined to get a win which would book them into the second round.

''Trinidad&Tobago, physically, are going to be ready. The result they got against Sweden might have surprised a lot of people but it didn't really surprise me.

''There will be a lot of respect on both sides but at the end of the day you're going to have to win a football match and you have to upset a few people by doing that.

''Yorkie's a great lad, he likes a laugh and a joke,'' said the Real Madrid midfielder. ''But when he's on a football pitch he's a serious person and a player we have to be aware of.''

REUTERS

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