Beckham to miss league match because of thigh strain

MADRID, Oct 27 (Reuters) David Beckham will miss Real Madrid's league match against Gimnastic Tarragona because of a strained thigh muscle, the club said today.

The former England captain sustained the injury during Real's 1-1 draw with third division Ecija in the King's Cup on Wednesday, his second appearance in the starting line-up in eight matches.

Beckham has not trained with the rest of the team since then and was left out of the squad for tomorrow's league match.

The future of the 31-year-old at the club has become the centre of intense speculation in recent weeks.

His contract expires at the end of the season and although Real say they are confident he will sign a two-year extension, media reports suggest the midfielder may decide to leave the club given his lack of first team chances under Fabio Capello.

Real host Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League next Wednesday. They are in second place in Group E, three points behind leaders Olympique Lyon.

REUTERS DH HT1858