Eriksson waits on Gerrard fitness

England captain David Beckham is poised to move into central midfield if Steven Gerrard is ruled out of tomorrow’s opening World Cup qualifying game in Austria through injury.

Gerrard is rated as having a 50-50 chance of starting the game in Vienna due to a groin problem, with Shaun Wright-Phillips on standby to make his first England start if he is ruled out.

Wayne Bridge is set to start on England’s left side of midfield for the first time in almost two years, while Alan Smith should partner Michael Owen up front.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is already without Sol Campbell, Wayne Rooney, Jonathan Woodgate and Nicky Butt through injury, while Rio Ferdinand is banned and Paul Scholes has retired from international duty.

PROVISIONAL TEAM: James, G Neville, A Cole, Terry, King, Lampard, Gerrard (or Wright-Phillips), Beckham, Bridge, Owen, Smith.