Beckham misses Madrid match

England skipper David Beckham has been left out of the Real Madrid squad to play Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Beckham injured his right foot while playing for the Spanish champions in the 2-0 defeat at Valencia on Saturday, and he has not recovered in time for the trip to Portugal.

This morning Beckham was limited to 40 minutes' work in the gym - all upper body exercises - and was limping badly.

Madrid full-back Michel Salgado admits Beckham's absence will be a blow for the Porto game.

He said: "We don't have a big squad and he has been very important for us in midfield.

"However, there are other players ready to play and who want the chance."

Beckham's absence from the training pitch will raise fears in the England camp, with Sven-Goran Eriksson desperate for his skipper to be involved in the October 11 match against Turkey.

The Istanbul clash is vital for England, who would qualify automatically for Euro 2004 as Group 7 winners with a draw or an away victory.

However, should Eriksson's team lose, Turkey would top the group and England would have to go through a play-off in order to win their ticket to the Portugal-hosted finals.