Real lost out on another La Liga title last night to the hands of Barcelona after they failed to better their arch-rivals' score line. Both Michael Owen and David Beckham were involved but couldn't help their side turn a 2-2 draw into victory.

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson confirmed Gary Neville would take the captain's armband if Beckham was forced to continue. "I'm going to ask that question when or if it's sure that Barcelona have won the Spanish league. I've already prepared that," he said.

"Otherwise, Gary Neville will be the captain in the first game. He's always acted like a captain anyhow! He or Sol Campbell could do it, they are the most senior and experienced players."

The Swede also admitted United's Kieran Richardson, on loan at West Brom, along with Spurs' Michael Dawson are on stand-by should someone pick up an injury. "We have two players on standby - Michael Dawson, who had one training session with us a couple of years ago - and Kieran Richardson, who had a very good season at West Brom."

"They are both interesting players and I didn't want to put any senior players on standby. There's a full Premier League programme on Sunday and then the FA Cup final next weekend, so you have to be prepared for others to pull out."