Beckham too good for Galaxy - Shearer

Beckham, himself an ex-England captain, starred on his recall to the international scene, crossing for John Terry's goal in the draw with Brazil at the new Wembley and is expected to retain his place for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia on Wednesday.

And now Shearer believes Beckham has a key role to play in helping his country get their qualification hopes back on track, saying: "I don't know if David is regretting going to Los Angeles Galaxy. But he's better than that standard, without a shadow of a doubt. He showed that with his performance against Brazil."

He added: "I wouldn't worry about him taking part in the rest of the qualifiers, though. Yes, there are some long flights involved. But he can handle that and he won't have forgotten how to compete in the space of three months."

Although Shearer admits a trip to Austria and Switzerland for next summer's championships could be beyond the 32-year-old.

"The problem might come when Steve McClaren gets round to assessing his squad for the finals, provided we qualify. Then there will have to be a judgment made," he added in The Sun.

"Yet I don't think Steve will be concerned about that right now. It's not time to think about what happens over Christmas and January, when David will not be playing any football. All Steve wants at the moment is to make sure England qualify - and Beckham can help him do that."

Shearer, who admitted he was surprised to see the ex-Manchester United midfielder return to the international fold, believes Beckham should never have been dropped considering his telling contributions at last summer's World Cup.

"You go back to the World Cup and, instantly, I can remember David forcing Paraguay into an own-goal in the first game, a cross for Peter Crouch to score against Trinidad and a free-kick winner against Ecuador.

"So in five games he was directly involved in three goals. That shows his value, even when he is apparently not playing well. And as soon as he comes back, he drops the ball on John Terry's head for England's goal against Brazil. I'd been in favour of a Beckham return, though I was surprised when it came. I thought that was it for him."