Beckham is fit to face Barcelona  

Wednesday, 06 April 2005

David Beckham has been passed fit to play for Real Madrid in its Spanish league match against Barcelona next Sunday after recovering from a thigh injury.

The England captain completed a training session Wednesday after missing last Sunday's league match at Albacete because of a bruised left thigh muscle.

The midfielder suffered the injury during England's March 30 victory over Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifier.

Madrid's only injury worry for the game against league leader Barca is over captain Raul who has a bruised instep and will undergo tests on Thursday.

Barcelona's Brazilian maestro Ronaldinho could miss out with a stomach bug which forced him to sit out training on Wednesday.

With Portugal international Deco suspended Barca were relying more than ever on Ronaldinho's magic as they seek to preserve a nine-point lead over their bitter rivals with just eight games to go.

The bout of gastroenteritis was the result of the player eating something which simply disagreed with him, Barca medical staff said.

They added that the player had a good chance of being fit by the weekend, when he will look to ensure Brazil teammates Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos end up on the losing side.

Source: CNN