Beckham returns to training for England

David Beckham was back in training when England staged their first session in Portugal ahead of Sunday’s opening Euro 2004 clash with France.

The Real Madrid midfielder had an injection on Saturday to cure a cyst in his back after playing the opening 45 minutes of the 6-1 win over Iceland in Manchester.

Beckham had been required to then rest up for two days but he flew out to Lisbon with his team-mates on Monday and was scheduled to take a full part in the session at the former national stadium.

The only absentee, as expected, in the 23-strong squad was Chelsea’s central defender John Terry.

Terry worked in an individual session with England physio Gary Lewin to try to ensure that his hamstring problem recovers in time for Sunday.

He sustained the setback during the closing stages of last Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Japan and did not play any part in the victory over Iceland.

Jamie Carragher is on standby should Terry fail to prove his fitness to coach Sven-Goran Eriksson by the weekend.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: “Everyone is fit and training in the first full session in Portugal apart from John Terry who will work with physio Gary Lewin towards playing at the weekend.”