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Beckham prepares to captain England

David Beckham faces journalists during a news conference at the Five Lakes Hotel in Maldon, Essex, Monday. England will face Croatia for an international friendly match at the Ipswich Town Portman Road Stadium in Essex, England, today. PHOTO: REUTERS

David Beckham is back.

After a so-so start in preseason games with Real Madrid, the England captain returned to his home turf Monday to prepare for Wednesday's friendly against Croatia at Ipswich's Portman Road stadium.

Beckham was jeered Sunday in Real Madrid's first match on Spanish soil. Purchased in June from Manchester United for US$40 million, Beckham picked up a yellow card and made little impact at Valencia.

One Spanish paper called his debut a "dud."

But he should get a much friendlier reception when he pulls on the England shirt and captain's armband again.

Real Madrid seems to have problems fitting in Beckham at midfield.

Croatia coach Otto Baric suggested England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson may have face a similar puzzle to solve.

"With players like [Paul] Scholes, [Steven] Gerrard and [Owen] Hargreaves at his disposal, there might not even be room for the likes of Beckham," Baric said.

Beckham picked up a minor back injury in the Valencia match -- won 6-5 by Real Madrid on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw -- but decided to play with England instead of rest.

"There was questions if I would be here for the friendly, but it was important for me to be here," Beckham said, skipping Monday practice to work in the training room. "One, I'm England captain and, two, I love joining up with these players and this team."

He described his back as "a little bit tight" and is expected to see limited play on Wednesday.

Asked about being jeered in Valencia, Beckham admitted he didn't play well.

"The game could have gone better," he said. "I know I can play better than that."

Beckham said it was good to be surrounded by English-speaking players again, but he thanked his Real Madrid teammates for working to communicate with him.

"It's always nice to be somewhere the players speak your own language. But the players in Spain have been great to me.They are trying to talk a little bit of English to me, and they're also teaching me a little bit of Spanish."

Beckham said he watched Man United's 4-0 victory Saturday over Bolton and liked the new player wearing his old No. 7 -- 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.

"From what I've seen of the game on Saturday, he came on and changed the game, which is good for Man United," Beckham said. "I want Man United to do well. I've always supported Man United and will carry on doing that."

"It's good the No. 7's taken up now because that shirt deserves a player in it for the season. And he looks a very exciting one."

Beckham is expected to play in midfield with Scholes and Gerrard. Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer and Chelsea's Joe Cole are also available at midfield and could play.

On Monday, Hargreaves was ruled out of the match with a groin injury.

England has injury problems.

Teenage striker Wayne Rooney will miss the game with an ankle injury, leaving only Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and James Beattie. Heskey is doubtful with a calf injury. Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell anchor the defense and should be joined by promising defenders John Terry and Jonathan Woodgate. Woodgate and Campbell each have minor injuries. Central defender Matthew Upson was called up on Monday as a backup.

Eriksson has David James, Paul Robinson and Chris Kirkland to choose from in goal.

Croatia will be missing its No. 1 striking tandem of Dado Prso and Tomislav Maric -- both injured.
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