Kevin Keegan has insisted David Beckham will definitely play for England against Argentina - despite being dropped by Manchester United.

Beckham has been dogged by reports of a training ground bust-up with his manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

But England boss Keegan shrugged off suggestions that the midfielder would be in the wrong frame of mind for Wednesday's friendly at Wembley.

"There was absolutely no problem with David," said Keegan after the squad met up at their Bisham Abbey headquarters on Monday.

"He trained this morning, and I think he was just glad to get out on to a pitch and train. He's always enjoyed his training.

"I don't know what happened at the weekend, so I'm not going to comment. But as far as I am concerned he's going to play on Wednesday.

"From a purely selfish point of view, because he didn't play on Sunday he couldn't get injured.

"It's a Manchester United thing. It's between Alex Ferguson and David Beckham, and as far as I am concerned he's in the right frame of mind to play for England and will play, that's for sure.

"I don't know what happens at Manchester United training sessions but he trains well with us and he's always on time for his meals.

"Don't worry about David Beckham - he will be all right."

Family illness

Ferguson dropped the 24-year-old for Sunday's victory at Leeds - reportedly because he missed training on Friday to look after his ill son.

Keegan could be just the man to settle the United star, who is reported to be "furious" at his treatment by Ferguson and the threat of a £50,000 fine.

Keegan is famed for his man-management techniques and the break from Old Trafford will give both men the chance to cool off.

A spokeswoman for Beckham and his Spice Girl wife, Victoria, said his absence from United training was a direct result of his baby Brooklyn suffering from gastro-enteritis.

Caroline McAteer, of 4 Outside Organisation, said: "Brooklyn was coughing and being sick on Thursday night.

"He was quite bad in the middle of the night. The doctor was called out and said he has a touch of gastro-enteritis.

But more than one newspaper has noted that the illness which prevented Beckham from training did not stop Victoria from attending the finale of London Fashion Week.

Sympathy

"He was given some medicine the other night and he's fine," Beckham's spokeswoman added.

"The big question we were being asked was 'Why did David miss training on Friday?' and that's the reason.

"He's only missed training twice in his years at Manchester United."

Ferguson has already shown his willingness to put the incident in the past by hinting he will play Beckham in United's next fixture against Wimbledon.

If the fallout between Ferguson and Beckham develops into a more long term rift, it could mean the end of Beckham's stay at United, the club he joined as a teenager.

Recent press reports in Spain quoted Beckham as being keen for a move to Barcelona and Victoria has often said she would like to move to more cosmopolitan climes.

Conversely, Ferguson is a tough disciplinarian who regards no individual greater than his treble-winning side.

"If footballer's think they are above the manager's control there is only one word to say to them - goodbye," he wrote in his autobiography.

Ferguson broke the club's pay ceiling to keep skipper Roy Keane but it is unlikely he would go against his instincts again to keep Beckham, despite his immense talent.

Ferguson tolerates Beckham's showbiz lifestyle but it has had a creeping effect on the team.

For instance at the World Club Championships in Brazil when his wife's public, if sarcastic, comments about his penchant for her underwear, increased media interest at a time when the club was already facing criticism for embarking on the trip.

Bookmakers William Hill have now slashed the odds for Beckham to leave United by the start of next season from 4-1 to 6-4.