/ 21 February 2007

Beckham hopeful of England return

Former England captain David Beckham insisted on Wednesday that he is still hopeful of playing for his country despite his move to Los Angeles Galaxy this summer.

Beckham was dropped by new manager Steve McLaren following last year’s World Cup and has so far not been used during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

”My ambition has never changed since the age of 13, even younger. I always wanted to play for my country and I will always be available, whether I’m in Spain for the next four months or whether I’m in Los Angeles,” said Real Madrid midfielder Beckham, who has 94 caps.

Beckham has won over Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello, who had vowed never to select him again when the England captain decided to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season.

And McClaren hinted that he too could be ready to change his mind after Beckham’s return to form in Tuesday night’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu stadium.

”It gives me a problem, one of the problems you welcome,” McClaren told Sky Sports News.

”He’s being professional and performing well for his club — obviously that’s a problem I would rather have than not have. It’s interesting.”

McClaren added: ”The reaction from every adversity he’s ever gone through in his career, he’s always bounced back and been professional and got on with his job.

”It’s pleasing to see that a month ago he would never play for Real Madrid again and there he is starring in a game against Bayern Munich and being man of the match.”

Beckham’s upturn in form has led to a clamour for his recall to the national side and he could be considered for next month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Andorra.

However, high-profile figures in English football, such as former national manager Bobby Robson, plus former England strikers Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, have all said his move to California signalled his international ”retirement”. — Sapa-AFP