Sven's dilemma over James

The Real Madid star had a scan yesterday, which was clear but was nevertheless still in some discomfort and was rated as having a 60 per cent chance of playing. Beckham, meanwhile, came in for some stinging criticism from Terry Butcher today, with the the former England captain claiming he has not had a good game for three years.

Butcher said: "There has been criticism of Beckham and I think he is now the closest he has ever been to playing himself out of the team.

"If it wasn't Beckham wearing that No7 shirt, a lot of people would be saying what a wretched match he had (against Austria) and should be dropped. When did Beckham last have a really great game for England? Against Greece almost three years ago is the answer.

"You can't keep playing players if they don't do the business for England - but Beckham seems to be the exception."

Butcher is also critical of Eriksson for failing to admit what he believed was a poor performance in Austria. "I can't agree with them when they say that their first-half display in Vienna was good," he added. "It was distinctly average."

Favourite to come in should Beckham be ruled out is Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips, although another option is to to play the more defensive-minded Owen Hargreaves.

The other contentious position is up front, where Spurs striker Jermain Defoe is pressing Alan Smith hard. Defoe looked sharp when he replaced Smith late in the second half against Austria.