Beckham handed England legends invite

David Beckham has been offered the chance to play for an ’England Legends’ XI in December as he bids to shake off his troublesome knee injury.

Beckham has not been at full fitness since playing through pain at the end of last season with Real Madrid and has been available only intermittently for both England and his new club Los Angeles Galaxy.

His withdrawal from the 3-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win over Israel at Wembley yesterday – and the clash with Russia which takes place on Wednesday night – has given Shaun Wright-Phillips the chance to stake his claim for the right-wing position.

But Beckham has already been offered the chance to represent his country again in a PFA XI coached by Terry Venables as they take on a World XI led by former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at the City of Manchester Stadium on December 2.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “We have invited David, who is an ambassador in our centenary year, to play at the City of Manchester Stadium.

“If he is available we would want him to play for the England Legends team.

“But it all depends on the commitments his club in America, LA Galaxy, might have at that time.”