David Beckham said yesterday that his fitness is still “not right”, but he is expected to return to the England squad for the matches against Austria and Croatia after he successfully came through a training session on Saturday observed by Steve McClaren, the England head coach. Beckham played for 80 minutes, set up three goals and scored twice for Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, but it was not a performance that will give him any leverage over his rival for the right-midfield position, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

While the Chelsea winger started against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, Beckham’s game was a charity match against Hollywood United, a team mainly comprised of actors and musicians. It featured Frank Leboeuf, the former Chelsea defender, Vivian Campbell, the guitarist from Def Leppard, and Anthony LaPaglia, the 48-year-old star of Without A Trace, in goal. Though they did also have Superman - Brandon Routh – in the lineup.

Beckham missed England’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia because of a knee injury that side-lined him for six weeks. McClaren names the squad for the forthcoming fixtures on Friday. “I can’t put myself up for selection if I am not 100 per cent fit, or at least 90 or 95 per cent, and I wouldn’t do that,” Beckham said. “I need to get my fitness right and when it is right we will see. After tonight though, I feel great.”

The FA yesterday defended McClaren from criticism by Terry Butcher, the former England captain. Butcher described McClaren’s visit to Los Angeles to watch and talk to Beckham as a “farcical” waste of time. “Steve checks on the availability and fitness of all his players – it was a routine trip,” an FA spokesman said.

Despite reports that he was present, McClaren did not bother to watch Beckham in the match to raise funds for those affected by the California forest fires. “Steve McClaren was not here but I saw him [on Saturday] and it was important for me to get a good workout,” Beckham said. “This is probably the best I have felt for quite a few months now and I want to be involved in every game possible, but I have got to get my fitness right.”

Beckham confirmed that Los Angeles will allow him to train with an English club during the Major League Soccer close-season in order to maintain his fitness. “The Galaxy haven’t got a problem with that,” he said. “They know I have got to keep myself fit for the England games coming up.” The Galaxy will play Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada tomorrow, then Minnesota Thunder on Sunday.

Frank Yallop, the Galaxy coach, resigned after the game against Hollywood. His team failed to reach the play-offs. Yallop is expected to take charge of San José Earthquakes.

Beckham said he is enjoying life in the US. “I am loving it,” he said. “It’s been great so far, positive and smooth apart from . . . the season. Next year I hope will be a lot different.”

Train journeys

January training destinations for David Beckham

Arsenal Obvious cachet and training ground is close to home, but Arsène Wenger is not known for coaching thirtysomethings with no pace.

Tottenham Hotspur Short jaunt down the M11 to the training ground in Chigwell, but will Juande Ramos want any distractions as he settles into the job?

Chelsea Reuniting with England colleagues such as Frank Lampard and John Terry would ease the pain of the drive round the M25 to Surrey.

West Ham United Have so many injuries, Beckham could be useful for making up the numbers in training.