Beckham misses England training

David Beckham did not train with England on Thursday but the British FA remain "quietly confident" he will be fit for England's Saturday Euro 2004 qualifier in Macedonia.

Beckham sustained a tight groin while playing in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Villareal on Tuesday.

He joined up with his international team-mates on Wednesday night in Manchester but, instead of training with them in the morning, England medical staff decided he should spend the day doing gym work.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "David Beckham will not be training today. He will be working in the gym with England medical staff.

"We remain quietly confident that he will play on Saturday."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson reported no other injury concerns as his squad prepared for Saturday's game.

Rio Ferdinand (kidney infection), Steven Gerrard (ankle) and Trevor Sinclair (knee) have pulled out of the squad over the last 48 hours with Birmingham defender Matthew Upson called in.