McClaren: Beckham is my 5th choice

McClaren decided to leave Beckham out of the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers, eventough midfielders Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole and Aaron Lennon are all out with injuries.

McClaren said: “I made my intentions clear from the beginning. I said when I named the first squad that I was looking to the future.

“I also said all along that the door’s not closed to David and it’s still not closed.

“He’s somebody we’ve kept an eye on and considered, but when I look at that right-hand side, Steven Gerrard has done a very good job.

“And although Aaron Lennon is out, we have Shaun Wright-Phillips, who will be in the squad, and also Jermaine Pennant, who is knocking on the door and doing very well at Liverpool.

“Pennant is not in this time, but I see three young players who I want to keep involved in and around the squad.”