Former captain David Beckham is still desperate to return from the England wilderness.

Beckham was dropped from the squad after the summer's World Cup finals following the appointment of new manager Steve McClaren.

But there was a massive clamour for his recall after last week's damaging 2-0 defeat by Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

"It's hard to watch England without being in the team," he said. "It's still hard and it will be until I'm back in there.

"But what people have to realise is there's going to be tough games, there's going to be good games, bad games, and it's been two tough games for them - one at Old Trafford where usually our record there is good.

"But we've got great players, we've got great talent in that team, good young talent.

Beckham meanwhile believes Wayne Rooney's recent dip in form is the result of a lack of match-fitness and is no cause for alarm.

The former England captain still harbours hope of linking up with the Manchester United star on the international stage and has no doubt Rooney will soon be back to his best.

"People talk about Wayne being in a bad patch but people also have to remember that he's missed quite a bit of the season - three or four weeks without playing the game," Beckham told Sky Sports.

"He might have trained but it's not the same as match-fitness and you need that."   PA