David Beckham has been backed in his claims that Real Madrid’s training methods were the reason for his poor fitness levels at Euro 2004.

Sven-Goran Eriksson insisted that Wayne Rooney will handle the extra pressure and expectations on his shoulders following the outbreak of ‘Rooney fever’ at the Euro 2004 finals.

WAYNE ROONEY faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Premiership season after he was injured in the Portugal.

It took Spain more sweat and toil than they had anticipated but, in a game that saw a red card for Roman Sharanov and a glut of bookings, Inaki Saez’s side got off to the start to the Euro 2004 finals they had dreamed off.

Phil Neville has appealed for David Beckham and the rest of the England squad to be left in privacy at their team hotel to prepare for the Euro 2004 finals.

Sven-Goran Eriksson declared that the rest of Europe should be worried about England as he insisted their preparations were correct ahead of the Euro 2004 finals.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has revealed that Johan Mjallby does have a Parkhead future – if he wants one.

Denmark manager Morten Olsen is a big fan of two of Scotland’s most promising young talents Darren Fletcher and James McFadden.

DAVID JAMES insists the public are prepared to forgive Sven-Goran Eriksson for talking to other clubs – but only if he is a success as England coach.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON is expected to open talks with the English FA over their offer of a contract extension before England’s next friendly against Sweden at the end of this month.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was today left to face up to the frustration of having to plan for the Euro 2004 finals without Rio Ferdinand, one of the cornerstones of his England defence.

Holland 6 Scotland 0

Wales 0 Russia 1 (Russia win 1-0 on aggregate)

SCOTLAND striker Stevie Crawford has promised the Tartan Army that he and his team-mates will “get wired in” to the footballing aristocrats of Holland.

Sven-Goran Eriksson had admitted his desire to have Rio Ferdinand available for the Euro 2004 finals as the defender waits to learn his fate after failing to take a drug test.

Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour admits Sven-Goran Eriksson is right to continue to overlook him from the England squad in the build-up to the Euro 2004 finals.

Sven-Goran Eriksson finally gave an assurance over his future as he promised England fans that he would still be in charge of the national side for the Euro 2004 finals.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has assured Claudio Ranieri he has no intention of replacing him at Chelsea, as the Swede restated his determination to stay on as England boss until at least next summer.

ROY KEANE has revealed how close he came to making a return to international soccer following Brian Kerr’s appointment as the manager of the Republic of Ireland.

England striker Michael Owen has vowed to “carry on scoring” for his country after reaching the 20-goal mark during the 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz.