David Beckham, the LA Galaxy mid-fielder, idled by a knee injury since August 29, resumed training with his team-mates. He was expected to be out for 10 weeks — the rest of the season, but Beckham has said he is determined to make it before the end of the season.

Dimitri Mascarenhas, the ethnic Sri Lankan in the English team, is the cynosure in the Emerald isles with relatives and other well wishers greeting him everywhere. Mascarenhas had made headlines after swatting Yuvraj for five sixes  during India’s tour of England.