Beckham back at Tottenham today

Harry Redknapp will hold his first training session with David Beckham this morning but it is still unclear whether the former England captain will be granted permission to play for Tottenham over the next few weeks.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder was given the green light to start training with the Tottenham squad yesterday after completing a series of fitness tests at the club’s training ground in Chigwell, Essex.

Beckham, who returned to the UK last weekend after the end of the MLS season, did not speak to any of the assembled media who had gathered to greet him after his six-hour spell at the training complex, which was broken up by a brief test at a nearby hospital.

It is understood, however, that Beckham is keen on playing for Tottenham before returning to the Galaxy before their first match of the new season against the Seattle Sounders on March 15.

As things stand, Beckham will only be at the club to train until February 10, but his presence with the first-team squad could prove to be a catalyst for Spurs and the Galaxy to overcome the current financial obstacles blocking a loan deal.

The sight of Beckham in a club tracksuit yesterday may have raised Tottenham fans’ hopes of seeing the star play for the club, and coach Tim Sherwood would like to see the 35-year-old turn out for the Londoners.

“He’s a great ambassador for the country. Good luck to him,” Sherwood said.

“He’s welcome to come and train with the club. If he eventually starts to play for us then that would be good. It’s a complex situation.”

One person looking forward to training alongside Beckham this morning is youngster Andros Townsend, who starred in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Charlton on Sunday.

“It would be a massive boost for any youngster to have someone that is probably England’s best ever player training with them,” said Townsend.

“He is one of my idols. He can teach me a lot. He could teach anyone in English football a lot.

“He is an amazing player and he has had a fantastic career.”

Townsend was a surprise inclusion in Tottenham’s victory on Sunday, opening the scoring with a 20-yard drive and causing havoc among the Addicks’ defence with his trickery and pace.

The 19-year-old recently had a season-long loan terminated by Ipswich but that has not put the winger off the idea of a further loan, and he concedes that leaving White Hart Lane for the rest of the season could help him persuade Redknapp he has a big future at the club.

“I thought I played well when I was given the chance at Ipswich,” Townsend said.

“I just took my form into the Charlton match and hopefully I have shown everyone here what I can do.

“I would like to stay here but I might have to go on another loan and prove myself to the manager and the coaching staff.

“I haven’t spoken to the manager about it. Maybe in the next few days we’ll sit down and see where my future lies.”