Beckham still a lethal weapon for England

TALLINN (Reuters) - Steve McClaren will struggle to keep David Beckham out of his England side after the former captain engineered a 3-0 win over Estonia and put them back in the race to qualify for Euro 2008.

Though they stay fourth in Group E, England were in real danger of being cast adrift after losing to Croatia and drawing 0-0 with Macedonia and Israel.

Beckham's competitive return on Wednesday, having been passed over since McClaren took charge following the 2006 World Cup, seemed to galvanise a side who could ill-afford any more slip-ups.

His pinpoint passes from the right flank set up second-half goals for strikers Peter Crouch and Michael Owen after Joe Cole had given England a 37th minute lead.

Equally telling was the fact that England players on the ball kept looking for Beckham with their passes, right from the start.

McClaren acknowledged Beckham's contribution and indicated the midfielder's exile might even have ended in March.