Real Madrid friendly disrupts England World Cup build-up

Captain David Beckham and striker Michael Owen will miss the start of England's build-up to their opening World Cup qualifier in Austria because they have to turn out for Real Madrid in a friendly match at the Bernabeu. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson tried to persuade the Spanish club to release the players but Madrid insisted that Beckham and Owen, who will make his debut before the Real fans, play the first half against UNAM (Pumas) of Mexico on Tuesday.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington told the governing body's website: "The England squad will meet at lunchtime next Tuesday, with the Madrid-based players arriving later that evening (by private jet). This falls in line with the FIFA regulations."

FIFA rules state that players must be available four days before competitive internationals and, with England facing Austria on Saturday, September 4 in Vienna, that means Beckham and Owen must be with the England camp by midnight on Tuesday.

"The Madrid players will be available for all but the first training session during the build up to our first World Cup qualifying fixture in Austria...," added Bevington.

Eriksson, whose squad travel to Poland for their second qualifier four days after the Austria game, now have three England wanted all his players from the start but is mindful that Madrid players after Jonathan Woodgate joined the club. "We have enjoyed a very good relationship with the club since David Beckham moved to Spain before the start of last season..." said Bevington.

"Sven believes it's very important that this relationship is maintained with sporting director Emilio Butragueno and coach Jose Antonio Camacho for the future, particularly with such a strong English representation at Real."