Madrid, Sept 30: A swollen instep has axed David Beckham from Real Madrid's Champions League game this week and placed him in doubt for England's Euro 2004 qualifier next month. Coach Carlos Queiroz dropped Beckham from the squad list to travel to Portugal for Wednesay's match against FC Porto because of the instep he hurt during the weekend match against Valencia.
Beckham did not train with Madrid for a second day because of the injury.
Madrid will decide today whether the team's ace striker Raul Gonzalez will also be dropped. Raul, who is nursing a hip injury sustained a week ago, missed the Valencia match.
Beckham told reporters yesterday he wasn't sure he'd make it for the Porto game.
"I'm not sure if I'll be fit for Wednesday," he said. "That's up to the doctors and me to decide. Turkey is two weeks away and we have got a lot of important games before then."
England faces Turkey in a crucial Euro 2004 qualifier on Oct 11.
The English star appeared before the press with a bandage around his right foot, and showed signs of pain as he walked.
"It's hurting at the moment and we'll have to wait and see," said the former Manchester United ace.
Beckham is believed to have landed badly on the foot as he took a free-kick Saturday against Valencia. It was his first injury since signing for Madrid this season. Valencia won 2-0 and handed Madrid its first defeat of the season. Bureau Report