Manchester, Sept 10: David Beckham and Sven Goran Eriksson have been speaking about their Euro 2004 qualifier against Liechtenstein. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson warned skipper David Beckham and Steven Gerrard on Tuesday (September 9) that a booking against Liechtenstein would mean them missing the decisive Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey. Beckham, Gerrard and defender Sol Campbell are all a yellow card away from suspension and any absences in Turkey next month, where England are likely to need a draw to automatically qualify for the finals in Portugal, would be a severe blow. Though Eriksson would not confirm any of the trio would face Liechtenstein on Wednesday, he told a news conference: "I have to be careful, but they have to be more careful because we can't afford to take a yellow card from any of those players. "It would be very stupid."


Beckham, who expects to play at his former Manchester United home of Old Trafford, would clearly be the most damaging absentee in Istanbul.


However, Eriksson's other concern is that too much attention is being focused on their qualifier on October 11 and not enough on the job in hand on Wednesday.


"We talk too much today about Turkey," he said. "The most important game you always have is the next one, because if we don't beat Liechtenstein it would be absolute madness from us. Let's think about that game, win that game then we'll see."


Beckham, who joined Real Madrid in July for up to 35 million euros ($38.96 million), made it clear he expected to turn out on Wednesday and was willing to take the risk.


"There's certain challenges that I'll have to hold back on and certain situations, that I usually get myself into, that I won't be able to."


As for his return, Beckham said: "(It will be) Probably emotional. It'll be nice to play back at Old Trafford again so quickly after the move.


"I thought it would be at least a year or less than that going back there with Real Madrid, but it's nice coming back there with England."


Bureau Report