England door closes on Beckham

As anticipated, David Beckham has been dropped from the England squad for the first time in 10 years, signalling the dawn of Steve McClaren's reign as head coach.

Beckham, who was England captain for the duration of the preceding coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's tenure, has been pointedly omitted from the squad that will face Greece in Wednesday's friendly. The 31-year-old midfielder resigned his captaincy on July 2 and his successor was revealed yesterday to be Chelsea central-defender John Terry.