Cameron to fly the flag for England above No 10

David Cameron has said he will fly the flag of St George over No 10 during the football World Cup in South Africa.

The prime minister told MPs that the move would not cost anything and he hoped would help unite the nation behind the English team.

No matter what part of the UK people came from, he said he hoped they would be shouting "come on England".

Mr Cameron wished the team and manager well, ahead of their first match in South Africa.

Platinum All Stars 0 England 3

England cantered to victory over the Platinum Stars in their final warm-up match before the World Cup in Moruleng.

Starting with a strong XI, Jermain Defoe got England off to a good start, sweeping in Steven Gerrard's cross after just 3 mins.

Platinum then missed a penalty 10 minutes later.

But England failed to really fire until 10 half-time changes, after which starter Joe Cole doubled the score from Wayne Rooney's lay-off on 65mins

Rooney himself volleyed in a third on 84mins a comfortable, if uninspiring, day's work that yielded no fresh injuries.

England face final warm up game

England play their final game before the start of the 2010 World Cup on Monday in a warm-up match against local South African side the Platinum Stars.

The friendly gives coach Fabio Capello a final opportunity to tinker with his team ahead of Saturday's opening Group C game against the United States.

Safety issues have been raised after a stampede left 16 hurt at a game between Nigeria and North Korea on Sunday.

But the Football Association insists adequate security will be in place.

The match between Nigeria and South Korea at the Makhulong Stadium in Johannesburg prompted a rush of supporters aiming to gain entry to see the tie.

Rio Ferdinand out, Michael Dawson flies out

England captain Rio Ferdinand, 31 will miss the World Cup after suffering ligmament damage to his left knee in the team's first training session in South Africa.

Ferdinand has been ruled out for up to six weeks and Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson has flown on Friday as his replacement.

Steven Gerrard will now take over as England captain for the tournament.

"Everyone with the squad is very disappointed and sorry for Rio," said England manager Fabio Capello.

"It was an accidental injury in training, but had nothing to do with the pitch."

John Mikel Obi ruled out for Nigeria

Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi, 23 has been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a knee injury.

Mikel joins Chelsea team mates Michael Essien and Michael Ballack in missing out thanks to injury, while Didier Drogba is a doubt.

Obi had minor knee surgery in May and feels he has not recovered sufficiently.

Zimbabwe 0 Brazil 3 (World Cup warm up)

Brazil beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in Harare in front of thousands of fans witnessing the first visit to the country by a non-African national team since 1980.

South Africa extend unbeaten run to 10 games

World Cup hosts South Africa celebrated their arrival in Johannesburg's Soccer City in fine style as they beat Colombia 2-1 on Thursday.

A penalty apiece from Teko Modise and Katlego Mphela overcame Giovanni Moreno's spot-kick equaliser.

The Colombians provided a real test for a team whose previous opponents have often lacked quality.

The victory extends Bafana Bafana's unbeaten run to 10 matches under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.