Beckham fitness boost as Eriksson faces injury crisis

ENGLAND captain David Beckham gave Sven-Goran Eriksson a much-needed boost by taking part in the first training session for Wednesday’s friendly international with Holland at Villa Park.

Beckham had suffered a slight shoulder injury when in action for Real Madrid against Espanyol at the weekend.

However, the former Manchester United star was among the 20 members of Eriksson’s revised party which were put through their paces at the Champney Springs complex near Ashby de la Zouch.

Eriksson had earlier been counting the cost of a series of injuries to his central defenders which left Wes Brown and Jamie Carragher as his likely pairing against the Dutch.

Ledley King (groin) and John Terry (knee) joined Matthew Upson (hamstring) in having to pull out of the fixture. Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell and Jonathan Woodgate had already been ruled out.

In addition, Chelsea full-back Wayne Bridge was forced out of the squad earlier in the day with a foot injury, although he completed 90 minutes of Chelsea’s goalless draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

The only absentees from training were Frank Lampard and Shaun Wright-Phillips who both participated in the Stamford Bridge fixture 24 hours earlier.