England

v

Germany

 

 

 

International Friendly
8pm, Wednesday 22 August 2007
Wembley Stadium
England Squad named on Friday 17 August 2007 on TheFA.com



England Head Coach Steve McClaren returned to England today after a trip to the United States, where he saw David Beckham come on as a second half substitute to make his debut for LA Galaxy in Washington.

The Galaxy suffered a 1-0 defeat to DC United, but McClaren’s fact-finding mission proved successful. After speaking to Beckham in the tunnel shortly after the final whistle, Steve also caught up with their coach, Frank Yallop, and general manager Alexi Lalas and enjoyed a very positive discussion.

Steve names his first England squad of the new season next Friday ahead of their friendly at Wembley against Germany on 22 August. The match in the US capital gave him the opportunity to check out the level of competition in the MLS and to find out more about the former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder’s injury concerns.

"A lot of people have been writing things about the standard of football over there," McClaren said prior to his departure. "But I need to see it in the flesh for myself and make that judgement rather than other people."

Beckham was pleased to finally get his Galaxy career underway, but was disappointed to see his side go down to a first half strike from Luciano Emilio.

"It was a good night, but it was also a bad night," Beckham said.

"Obviously, there's been a certain amount of pressure because everyone is talking about how I've come to MLS and not played yet.

"But I don't feel pressure in that sense. I feel pressure in myself to get fit and to get back playing again."

On his touchdown back in England, McClaren turned his mind to Saturday’s Premiership kick-off and the start of a busy week on home soil as he considers his squad selection for the Germany encounter.

Upton Park will be his first stop, as West Ham meet Manchester City in their opener, then on Sunday McClaren will be up to Old Trafford to see the Champions take on Reading.

The games continue throughout the week across the country. He'll be at Tottenham v Everton on Tuesday, Portsmouth v Manchester United on Wednesday and has Liverpool v Chelsea in the diary for Sunday 19 August.

Log on to TheFA.com on Friday 17 August for first news of Steve’s squad to face Germany.