'True patriot' Beckham in line for England return

MANCHESTER: David Beckham is regaining fitness - and being praised by England manager Steve McClaren.

"He's a true patriot and he loves playing for England. That's still his motivation, that's still his mind-set," McClaren said.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder resumed training this week in Carson, California, after being out more than a month with a sprained right knee.

The injury denied Beckham a call-up for England's European Championship qualifiers in September and ruled him out of upcoming matches against Estonia and Russia.
   
Two wins would guarantee qualification for England. If not, it will be determined by the final Group E match against Croatia on Nov. 21.
   
And Beckham aims to be fit to propel England to next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria - just as he did in 2001, scoring a late free kick against Greece to send the team to the 2002 World Cup.
   
"He's working towards that," McClaren said. "He's in late training at the moment and that's his target to be back playing and in contention for that squad."

Beckham will not play for the Galaxy at Houston on Sunday, but could return against Toronto next Saturday as the team focuses on winning a playoff berth.
    
McClaren axed Beckham ahead of his first match in charge in August 2006, but brought the former captain back in May to rouse England's qualification hopes after a faltering start.
   
If Beckham appears in the Croatia match and in a friendly at Austria five days earlier, he will be one short of his 100th appearance for England.