Beckham fit to face Uruguay

England skipper David Beckham is confident he will be fit for Wednesday’s friendly international with Uruguay – as he tipped his country to win the World Cup if they perform to their best.

Beckham was substituted during Real Madrid’s encounter with Mallorca on Sunday with a back injury.

But the former Manchester United star insisted the move was more of a precaution as England begin their countdown to the finals in Germany in three months time.

Beckham said: “My back should be fine for Wednesday. There was just a bit of pain. Being cautious, I came off but it will be OK.”

Beckham was speaking at the official launch of England’s new away kit by UMBRO and the Football Association in a hotel at Manchester Airport.

David James, Paul Robinson, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Owen also modelled the new red kit which will be seen against the Uruguayans at Anfield.

Beckham is optimistic that England can emulate the achievement of 40 years ago when they lifted the World Cup for the only time in their history.

He said: “What we want to do is win the World Cup and we’ve worked hard to get to the position we are at now.

“If we play well and get that bit of luck that every team needs, then we have got the talent in our team to go all the way in the summer.

“This is a fantastic crop of players and you just hope they are all fit and firing in the summer.”