LONDON, Feb 17: Former England captain Alan Shearer said David Beckham's decision to join American side Los Angeles Galaxy could mean he may never return to the national side and claimed top Premiership clubs did not want him.

David Beckham has hardly played for Real Madrid this season and late last year announced he would be moving to the Major League Soccer club on a 250 million-dollar, five-year deal.

Shearer, England captain at the 1998 World Cup, said England manager Steve McLaren had made his decision to omit him because he wanted pace and power on the right with the likes of Aaron Lennon and Steven Gerrard.

“He (Beckham) has hardly played any football [for Real] this season,”Shearer told the Sun newspaper. “Not only that but he is about to fly off to

America to play in a league which is probably on a parallel with our second division, with respect.

“I don't know what his reasons are for going out there at his age. He still has some years left in him at a high level. I certainly believe he could do a job in the Premiership.

“The problem is he would not want to play for a side outside the top four - and the top four don't want him.”McClaren has frequently said the door is not closed for the midfielder to make a return to the England fold, but Shearer - like Beckham a former captain of the national side - said he may never add to his 94 caps.

He told The Sun: “I think Steve McClaren has made his decision and he will stick to it. I do not believe David Beckham will ever play for England again - that's it.

“Steve has decided he wants pace and power on the right side. That is why he has gone for Aaron Lennon or Steven Gerrard. That is his style and he is happy to have those players in that position rather than Beckham.—AFP