Captan David Beckham has declared himself fit to play in England's European Championship qualifier against Slovakia.

The Manchester United midfielder picked up a calf strain during the 3-0 win at home to Everton on Monday and did not return to training until Thursday.

But speaking at a news conference, the Manchester United star said he was feeling fine for the match.

"As a precautionary measure I stayed out of training. I can still feel it, but it's not a problem," he said.

The England captain insisted his side would not be underestimating the Slovaks on Saturday, although he added the team wanted victory.

"Expectations from the players are very high, so we will be looking for six points from our next two games [Slovakia and Macedonia next Wednesday]," he said.

"Anything less than that will be regarded as failure."

Ashley Cole, who suffered a hamstring twinge in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Sunday, took a full part in Thursday's training before England flew out to Bratislava.

The return of Beckham and Cole was good news for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is already without central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell.

Woodgate or Ehiogu?

Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate is certain to start with Eriksson likely to chose Leeds' Jonathan Woodgate rather than Ugo Ehiogu as his central defensive partner.

Woodgate trained alongside Southgate on Thursday, a move which suggests Ehiogu may not partner Southgate.

Southgate will come up against club-mate Szilard Nemeth, who has scored three goals in the Premiership this season to help Middlesbrough into third place.

Nemeth was left out of the 3-0 defeat by Turkey in Slovakia's opening qualifier but is expected to return against England.

"We played very badly against Turkey and England is a big, big test for us," Nemeth said.

Gary Neville is expected to return at right-back in place of Danny Mills after impressing Eriksson during Manchester United's 3-0 win against Everton on Monday.

Liverpool duo Michael Owen and Emile Heskey are likely to start in attack, with Leeds' Alan Smith left on the bench.

England (probable): Seaman, Neville, Cole, Southgate, Woodgate, Beckham, Butt, Gerrard, Scholes, Owen, Heskey.