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Former England skipper Alan Shearer believes David Beckham is too good to be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham, himself an ex-England captain, starred on his recall to the international scene, crossing for John Terry's goal in the draw with Brazil at the new Wembley and is expected to retain his place for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia on Wednesday.
And now the Newcastle legend believes Beckham has a key role to play in helping his country get their qualification hopes back on track.
Shearer said: 'I don't know if David is regretting going to Los Angeles Galaxy. But he's better than that standard, without a shadow of a doubt.
'He showed that with his performance against Brazil. I wouldn't worry about him taking part in the rest of the qualifiers, though.
'Yes, there are some long flights involved. But he can handle that and he won't have forgotten how to compete in the space of three months.'
Although Shearer admits a trip to Austria and Switzerland for next summer's championships could be beyond the 32-year-old.
'The problem might come when Steve McClaren gets round to assessing his squad for the finals, provided we qualify. Then there will have to be a judgment made,' he added in The Sun.
'Yet I don't think Steve will be concerned about that right now. It's not time to think about what happens over Christmas and January, when David will not be playing any football.
'All Steve wants at the moment is to make sure England qualify - and Beckham can help him do that.'
Shearer, who admitted he was surprised to see the ex-Manchester United midfielder return to the international fold, believes Beckham should never have been dropped considering his telling contributions at last summer's World Cup.
'You go back to the World Cup and, instantly, I can remember David forcing Paraguay into an own-goal in the first game, a cross for Peter Crouch to score against Trinidad and a free-kick winner against Ecuador.
'So in five games he was directly involved in three goals. That shows his value, even when he is apparently not playing well.
'And as soon as he comes back, he drops the ball on John Terry's head for England's goal against Brazil. I'd been in favour of a Beckham return, though I was surprised when it came. I thought that was it for him.
'But he showed he still has the desire to do it for his country.
'Steve McClaren tried everything on the right side before recalling David. But it didn't work.
'He used (Steven) Gerrard and Shaun Wright-Phillips. He even tried Gary Neville on the right of a 3-5-2 in Croatia, then Andy Johnson in a 4-3-3. None have done as well as Becks.'
And Shearer has backed former strike-partner Michael Owen to rediscover his goalscoring form.
He said: 'The goal will come for Michael, I'm sure of that.
'He has had three games with Newcastle, one for England B and just over 80 minutes against Brazil. He had a couple of headed chances and you can feel it's on the way.
'The problem is that in the absence of suspended Wayne Rooney, who I rate an excellent partner for Michael, none of those available to play alongside him are regulars for their clubs.
'Alan Smith didn't have a great game against Brazil but is just on the way back from injury.
'And neither Peter Crouch nor Jermain Defoe have had regular football. The manager doesn't seem to fancy Crouch, even though he could end up playing against Estonia.
'I think he has reservations as he feels England go too long-ball with Crouch in the side. But I'm sure we will win in Estonia, whoever plays up front.'
Beckham, himself an ex-England captain, starred on his recall to the international scene, crossing for John Terry's goal in the draw with Brazil at the new Wembley and is expected to retain his place for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia on Wednesday.
And now the Newcastle legend believes Beckham has a key role to play in helping his country get their qualification hopes back on track.
Shearer said: 'I don't know if David is regretting going to Los Angeles Galaxy. But he's better than that standard, without a shadow of a doubt.
'He showed that with his performance against Brazil. I wouldn't worry about him taking part in the rest of the qualifiers, though.
'Yes, there are some long flights involved. But he can handle that and he won't have forgotten how to compete in the space of three months.'
Although Shearer admits a trip to Austria and Switzerland for next summer's championships could be beyond the 32-year-old.
'The problem might come when Steve McClaren gets round to assessing his squad for the finals, provided we qualify. Then there will have to be a judgment made,' he added in The Sun.
'Yet I don't think Steve will be concerned about that right now. It's not time to think about what happens over Christmas and January, when David will not be playing any football.
'All Steve wants at the moment is to make sure England qualify - and Beckham can help him do that.'
Shearer, who admitted he was surprised to see the ex-Manchester United midfielder return to the international fold, believes Beckham should never have been dropped considering his telling contributions at last summer's World Cup.
'You go back to the World Cup and, instantly, I can remember David forcing Paraguay into an own-goal in the first game, a cross for Peter Crouch to score against Trinidad and a free-kick winner against Ecuador.
'So in five games he was directly involved in three goals. That shows his value, even when he is apparently not playing well.
'And as soon as he comes back, he drops the ball on John Terry's head for England's goal against Brazil. I'd been in favour of a Beckham return, though I was surprised when it came. I thought that was it for him.
'But he showed he still has the desire to do it for his country.
'Steve McClaren tried everything on the right side before recalling David. But it didn't work.
'He used (Steven) Gerrard and Shaun Wright-Phillips. He even tried Gary Neville on the right of a 3-5-2 in Croatia, then Andy Johnson in a 4-3-3. None have done as well as Becks.'
And Shearer has backed former strike-partner Michael Owen to rediscover his goalscoring form.
He said: 'The goal will come for Michael, I'm sure of that.
'He has had three games with Newcastle, one for England B and just over 80 minutes against Brazil. He had a couple of headed chances and you can feel it's on the way.
'The problem is that in the absence of suspended Wayne Rooney, who I rate an excellent partner for Michael, none of those available to play alongside him are regulars for their clubs.
'Alan Smith didn't have a great game against Brazil but is just on the way back from injury.
'And neither Peter Crouch nor Jermain Defoe have had regular football. The manager doesn't seem to fancy Crouch, even though he could end up playing against Estonia.
'I think he has reservations as he feels England go too long-ball with Crouch in the side. But I'm sure we will win in Estonia, whoever plays up front.'