Beckham misses England training

England captain David Beckham missed training today but is still expected to start the opening Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia on Saturday.

The Manchester United midfielder was holding an ice-pack to his calf when he left Old Trafford on Monday night following the 3-0 win against Everton.

Beckham, who has played down the injury, was still sitting out training today at Bisham Abbey as a precautionary move but is set to be involved again in time to play against Slovakia.

Paul Scholes was at least due to take part in today’s session after a scheduled scan on a long-standing ankle niggle yesterday.

However, Eriksson, who rested Ashley Cole to enable him to recover from a knock sustained last Sunday during Arsenal’s win against Sunderland, was still waiting for an update on Sol Campbell.

The Arsenal centre-back had not joined up with the England squad by this morning due to a stomach problem which left him sick in bed yesterday.

An update was expected later on Campbell’s condition, with Eriksson already having lost the services of Rio Ferdinand, due to the need for a knee operation, as well as Danny Murphy and Trevor Sinclair.