Soccer/International news:Steve McClaren is pinning his future on the man whose time he believed to be over. The England manager confirmed the magnitude of recalling David Beckham for Friday's friendly with Brazil and, more importantly, the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia next Wednesday.
"It's my decision and I stand or fall by that," he said.
While he refused to elaborate on private discussions, the manager did not deny his assistant, Terry Venables, was opposed to bringing Beckham back. "I listen to the advice," McClaren said. "Terry has been in this position and understands it. Everyone is around the table but ultimately I've got to make that decision."
Summoning Beckham for the fixture in Tallinn, against opponents who are yet to score or garner a point in Group E, might look unnecessary, but McClaren needs as much insurance as possible when he is at such risk.
"I've got to win next week in Estonia, everybody knows that," he said. His position would otherwise be untenable since England's advance to the Euro 2008 finals is already in doubt.
The manager refused to confirm that Beckham will be retained after the move from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy in the summer. "I've seen various things from 'sources close to' me saying it's a long-term thing," McClaren said, "but international football is very delicate. We're only thinking about the next two games."
McClaren reeled off the names of Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, David Bentley, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor as people with the credentials to claim the role on the right of midfield in the future, but none, because of injury or inexperience, is ready.
The squad was weakened yesterday when Rio Ferdinand and Michael Dawson were ruled out of both matches with groin strains. Wayne Bridge could return in Tallinn from a hip problem. Given the circumstances, McClaren is glad to have Beckham around and the former captain is happy with the terms of his return.
"I got the reaction from him I expected: to get his head down, not to moan about it, to be professional," the manager said of the midfielder's response to being ditched by England. McClaren feels that while Beckham (32) might want to prove him wrong the real motivation has been "to prove something to himself".
But for injury, the manager suggests, the player could have been recalled against Israel and Andorra in March. Fabio Capello had said he would never select Beckham for Real again after he signed for LA Galaxy, but there has been a change of heart in Madrid that gives McClaren an precedent for his own rethink.
"The last thing I would describe Capello as," said the England manager, "is desperate." McClaren defends the "game to game" pragmatism of recalling Beckham when others are injured and Wayne Rooney is suspended.
"Anybody who has watched him closely over the past three or four weeks, and on Saturday (in a 3-1 victory over Deportivo la Coruna), must understand why David is in the squad."
Beckham is prepared to enjoy his vindication quietly. He and McClaren met two weeks ago and decided the midfielder would keep a low profile. "We want David Beckham the player and he wants to play," explained the manager. "We just said let's focus on that and let's focus on the 10 days, and let's make sure he performs."
By placing Beckham on the right, with Ledley King possibly in the holding role against Brazil, McClaren can liberate Steven Gerrard at the heart of midfield.
"I just felt especially in the second half against Israel and in Andorra that he wanted to play in the middle," explained McClaren. "He was our inspiration and he inspired from the centre."
