IN THE FIRING LINE

'There has been criticism of Beckham and I think he is now the closest he has ever been to playing himself out of the team,' Butcher said.

'If it wasn't Beckham wearing that number seven shirt and playing like that, a lot of people would be saying what a wretched match he had and should be dropped. Ask yourself this question. When did Beckham last have a really great game for England? Against Greece almost three years ago is the answer”

'You can't keep playing players if they don't do the business for England - but Beckham seems to be the exception”