McClaren ready to restore his faith in new man Beckham

Manager Steve McClaren is considering bringing back the former skipper for the showpiece friendly against Brazil, which marks the team's international return to Wembley on June 1, and the crucial European Championship qualifier in Estonia five days later.

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McClaren has been impressed by both Beckham's form and attitude since his return to the Real Madrid team. It is widely acknowledged in the Spanish capital that the 32-year-old midfielder's resurgence has been instrumental in the team's march to the top of the table.

The England boss is also aware that would-be successors to Beckham's role on the right side of midfield have not had the impact he had hoped.

McClaren is due to name his squad on Saturday following the England B friendly against Albania at Burnley on Friday night. Any decision over Beckham may hinge on how he performs in Real's game at Recreativo Huelva on Sunday.

Beckham was ostentatiously axed from the England squad last year by McClaren in his first act as Sven Goran Eriksson's successor.

But Beckham's renaissance at Real Madrid, where he has inspired his team-mates to an unlikely run to the top of the table, means his form is now impossible to ignore.

cap would mark an amazing six months for Beckham, whose top-level career appeared to be over when he announced in January that he would move to LA Galaxy this summer, prompting Real coach Fabio Capello to axe him from his team.

But after returning to the Real side in February, he has been their best player, meaning that McClaren now has to decide whether to follow Capello in performing a U-turn on Beckham and bring him back for games that could decide his own future as England coach.

"I still want to play for my country and I still believe I can do it," said Beckham in an interview published yesterday.

Beckham had been under consideration for the games in March against Israel and Andorra, but in the event McClaren did not have to make a decision as the midfielder was ruled out with a knee injury.

Following the dreadful displays in both games — a goalless draw and a nervous 3-0 win — England fans chanted Beckham's name and called for his recall.

Former skipper Beckham has only four games left at Real and he is planning a dramatic farewell by winning his first major trophy since moving to Spain in 2003.

"I want to win the league before I leave," he said. "This league title is Real Madrid's and I'm sure we're going to do it."