FYR Macedonia have expressed surprise at Steve McClaren's decision to exclude David Beckham from the England squad.

Beckham was England's captain at the World Cup under Sven-Goran Eriksson but has been left out by McClaren, with little prospect of a recall for a player who has 94 caps. The 31-year-old has been left on the bench for recent Real Madrid matches but has been assured he has a future with the Spanish giants.

Macedonia face England at Old Trafford, and coach Srecko Katanec said of Beckham: "For me, he is a key player, although now he isn't even in the first XI at Real Madrid. If I was in McClaren's position, without a shadow of a doubt Beckham would be in the team."