BAKU, Oct 12 (AFP) - England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson promised Tuesday that he would "take care" of the controversy surrounding David Beckham's booking against Wales later this week.
Beckham, who suffered a fractured rib in Saturday's 2-0 win at Old Trafford, revealed he deliberately went out of his way to get booked because he knew he would be sidelined by injury for England's next World Cup qualifying match.
Eriksson said he had no idea of the England captain's action and insisted he wanted the focus to remain on the match against Azerbaijan in Baku on Wednesday.
"I will know what I will do on Thursday or Friday - please wait until then," said the Swede, who added: "On Thursday or Friday I will take care of it."
Eriksson confirmed Michael Owen will take over the captain's armband in the absence of Beckham, but he did not confirm who will replace him in the team with Shaun Wright-Phillips or Owen Hargreaves possible contenders.
"As a captain, for sure, Michael Owen," Eriksson told Sky Sports.
"On the pitch we will try one or two things today. We have options - we have no David Beckham but we have options.
"The team we play on Saturday did a very professional performance."
Two reckless clashes with Wales full-back Ben Thatcher earned Beckham his second yellow card of the World Cup qualifying campaign which meant he was suspended for England's match in Azerbaijan.
"It was deliberate," Beckham told The Daily Telegraph. "I am sure some people think that I have not got the brains to be that clever, but I do have the brains.
"I could feel the injury. So I fouled Thatcher. It was deliberate. I knew straight away I had broken my ribs. I have done it before. I knew I will be out for a few weeks, so I thought: 'Let's get the yellow card out of the way.'"
Wales coach Mark Hughes refused to condemn Beckham.
Having already got one booking in the campaign against Austria, Beckham wanted to sit out the match with Azerbaijan rather than a more important qualifier with Poland or Wales next year.
"It surprises me that in the reality of a game and the hurly-burly of a game that you can think that clearly. Is it that easy to be that pre-meditated?" Hughes said.
"If it was done for the reasons being claimed, it is his decision.
"But at times suspensions do impact on you further down the line in a qualifying campaign, and we have been hurt by that in the past."
Beckham confirmed his hairline rib fracture will keep him out of action for over a month and the Real Madrid midfielder does not expect to figure in England's friendly against Spain on November 17.
"It's a frustrating injury because there is no treatment. I can't go running or training because it hurts too much.
"The last time I broke my ribs (at Manchester United), Alex Ferguson put me on a bike after two weeks and I couldn't do it. I couldn't breathe. There is nothing you can do apart from rest.
"I have been to see the doctor, basically to find out whether I can fly because the rib is resting on my spleen. I will fly to Madrid and see the Real doctor immediately. I heard Madrid want me training by Wednesday but that is not possible.
"If you come back too soon, you can damage it again. I am in constant pain. I have been on painkillers.
"I will be out for four to five weeks. I just want to get back playing, to get Real back up the table. I would love to play in England's friendly against Spain but I will struggle to make it."