If David Beckham needed further incentive to recover from his groin injury for Saturday's game in Munich it came yesterday when the former Germany defender Uli Stielike described Sebastian Deisler as a better player than the Manchester United player.

England were handed a major boost last night when the results of David Beckham's scan were described as "favourable".

The England captain will now undergo intensive treatment on his groin injury as he bids to be fit to lead his country out in Germany.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was delighted with the result of the scan. "I'm very pleased," he said. "This is extremely positive news."

Stielike, Germany's under-19 coach, was sent by Rudi V÷ller to watch England in the recent home defeat by Holland and believes his country's young players have nothing to fear.

He feels that Diesler, the wunderkind midfielder, is more naturally gifted than Beckham.

"Sebastian Deisler is faster than David Beckham," said Stielike, whose uncompromising style as a player suggests Beckham would be foolish to argue. "In terms of ability he is the better of the two.

"He has everything needed to become a great player. He is perfect from a skills point of view and can hit inch-precise crosses. Besides, he is dangerous in front of goal, and possesses great vision.

"He, Michael Ballack and Sebastian Kehl have no reason to hide away when faced with Beckham and company. Beckham's one advantage is that he has more experience. Being England's captain has helped him mature as a person; he is no longer the young hothead he used to be."

Deisler, the 21-year-old Hertha Berlin player, is expected to feature in the centre of Germany's midfield on Saturday in the absence of Mehmet Scholl.

Stielike picked out Paul Scholes, one of Deisler's likely opposite numbers, and Michael Owen as the men Germany have to watch.

"Michael Owen is incredibly quick going forward," he said in an interview with Cologne's Express newspaper. "He is always a good bet to create danger in the penalty box.

"You can't afford to take your eye off him. We will have to prevent him getting into one-on-one situations, and always have cover at the back, or else he will get through. And Paul Scholes distributes the ball well. He gets all around the pitch and is a real threat in front of goal."