SVEN SMILES WITH BECKHAM SCAN RESULT
Posted on:Wednesday Aug 29, 2001

David Beckham looks ready to take his place in England's crucial World Cup qualifying clash with Germany in Munich on Saturday. A scan on his injured groin was last night described as 'favourable', raising hopes that he will be fit to captain England in the Olympic Stadium.

Beckham will undergo treatment until Friday.

A relieved Sven Goran Eriksson said: 'I am very pleased with the outcome because the news is very positive.'

The England coach had earlier admitted that Beckham was indispensable to the team and he was prepared to give him until the morning of the match to prove his fitness.

Eriksson had previously said that unless a player was fit 48 hours before a match he would not be picked. Such is Beckham's importance to England, however, he is prepared to extend the deadline.

Eriksson added: 'It is important that he tests the injury by Friday afternoon with some running, crossing and shooting and doing one training practice. It is important to know by Saturday if there is a reaction.'

The ultimate decision on whether Beckham plays will be taken by the England medical staff of two doctors and two physiotherapists, with input from Eriksson and from Beckham himself.