David Beckham did not train with England today but the English FA remained "quietly confident" he will be fit for Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier in Macedonia.
The England skipper sustained a tight groin while playing in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Villareal on Tuesday night.
He joined up with his international team-mates last night in Manchester but England medical staff decided he should spend the day doing gym work.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson reported no other injury concerns as his squad prepares for Saturday's game. Rio Ferdinand (kidney infection), Steven Gerrard (ankle) and Trevor Sinclair (knee) have pulled out of the squad over the last 48 hours. Birmingham defender Matthew Upson has been called in.
The FA have insisted there were no problems between Eriksson and Beckham over the England captain's late arrival for international duty.
The FA were responding to reports today which claimed there had been a row after the Real Madrid midfielder reported several hours later than expected at England's Manchester training base yesterday due to flight delays.