David Beckham now 'too old' for England, hints Capello

Published on Thursday 12 August 2010 01:19

Fabio Capello last night appeared to call time on David Beckham's international career.

The 35-year-old missed the World Cup through injury but ended up being part of the back-up team in South Africa because of the influence he has over the current group of players.

However, even when he does recover from his Achilles injury, it seems Beckham will not be required for the attempt to reach Euro 2012. "I say 'thank you very much for helping me at the World Cup' but probably he is a little bit old," Capello told ITV ahead of last night's friendly with Hungary at Wembley.

Beckham, meanwhile, was back in the United States, as he briefly returned to the training field with his Los Angeles Galaxy team-mates. The 35-year-old English midfielder took part in a warm-up with the Galaxy squad as he continues rehabilitation work with the club's training staff.

Beckham tore his left Achilles' tendon on 14 March while on loan at AC Milan. He began his rehabilitation for the injury in Los Angeles in April.

Meanwhile, Tom Cleverley claims the hand-wringing over a lack of young English talent is unfair.

The Manchester United midfielder was told by Sir Alex Ferguson last week that he would be staying at Old Trafford after initial indications that a loan move was more likely.

Ferguson's decision came on the back of some outstanding performances on United's pre-season tour of North America and Cleverley has now followed up with an excellent display in England Under-21's victory over Uzbekistan at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.

At a time when the focus is on England's young players like never before – the lack of depth made so painfully obvious by call-ups for Scott Loach and Frankie Fielding as goalkeeping back-up to Joe Hart for last night's friendly against Hungary – Cleverley seems to be a beacon of hope for the English.

Yet the Bradford-raised youngster, who celebrates his 21st birthday today, does not believe the situation is quite as bad as it seems.

"People are a bit harsh to say there is no talent coming through," he said.

"It is there. A couple of times we have had the problem the first team has and we just don't gel.

"When you look at the players – (Theo] Walcott, (Danny] Welbeck, (Jack] Rodwell, (Jack] Wilshere – the talent in the squad is unbelievable.

"A few of those lads have played Champions League and European football.

"They also have plenty of Premier League games under their belts.

"The fact Wilshere is in the senior squad just shows it can be done."