Brooking: Becks will be back

Trevor Brooking has backed England captain David Beckham to bounce back from his Euro 2004 misery.

Beckham disappointed in all four games before England’s elimination and later admitted his fitness had not been of the required level.

Brooking, the Football Association’s director of football development, accepts the Real Madrid midfielder fell below his usual high standards but is confident he will get back to his best.

“I think David said himself that perhaps he didn’t have the impact that had had on previous matches,” Brooking told BBC 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“But at those times was so inspirational, and everyone was raving about his performances.

“People argue he was not at best but if you look at the goals scored, a lot of them involved himself.

"He still contributed but people didn’t see a goal or a stunning free-kick.

“They don’t mind as long as the team is getting results but soon as you hit the wall people are looking to point the finger.

“But he’s only 29 and he’ll come back. After a break he will make himself more determined and focus on the next two years and, like the others, will want to go the whole way in Germany.”

Brooking believes England got a lot of things right before their quarter-final exit at the hands of hosts Portugal and feels plenty of reason to be optimistic.

He added: “Everyone knows the opportunity was there to go all the way.

“Generally speaking the squad and the team are getting better and it’s how to take that extra step.

“We are learning all the time. The preparation off the field was the best it has ever been and we have just got to take that extra step.”