David Beckham suffered a slight groin strain in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Villarreal on Tuesday but expects to be fit for England's Euro 2004 Group Seven qualifier against Macedonia on Saturday.

"It's like a groin thing," Beckham told reporters. "We'll have to see what it's like tomorrow but I don't think it's going to be a problem.

"Hopefully, it should clear up by Saturday so fingers crossed it'll be alright tomorrow."

Beckham's injury, however slight, will be a major headache for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson before Saturday's away clash against Macedonia and Wednesday's game against Liechtenstein at Old Trafford.

Eriksson has already lost key midfielders Steven Gerrard and Trevor Sinclair for at least the first of those games, and Paul Scholes for both.

Beckham was given special permission to play his second league game for Real on Tuesday before joining up with his England team mates for training on Wednesday.

Beckham gave Eriksson an early scare when he went down clutching his ankle after a first-half challenge with Rodolfo Arruabarrena. The England captain picked himself, only to receive a yellow card for going in with his studs raised.

At the end of the game, Beckham was accosted by two fans who ran on to the pitch.

One managed to put his arm round the former Manchester United player and tried to take a photograph before being hustled away by security guards.

Beckham proved just how valuable he can be for both club and country by setting up Real's equaliser with an outswinging right-wing corner, which was headed in by midfielder Antonio Nunez four minutes from time.

Beckham had scored on his league debut for Real, a 2-1 victory over Real Betis on Saturday, and he might easily have added to his account on Tuesday, Villarreal keeper Pepe Reina doing well to tip two trademark free kicks over the bar.