Football: MAC IS HIT BY LA LAW; ENGLAND v BRAZIL 4 days to first big international at the new Wembley.

Byline: By JOHN CROSS

DAVID BECKHAM is caught in a club versus country row - just 48 hours after his dramatic England recall.

LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas yesterday warned he does not want Beckham picked for England friendlies after he moves to the Major League Soccer club at the end of the season.

It is a clear warning 32-year-old Beckham's return to the international set-up may be a one-off for the prestige friendly with Brazil at Wembley on Friday, before the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia five days later.

Lalas has warned LA Galaxy will only be happy to release Beckham for games they deem "appropriate" which would seem to rule out boss Steve McClaren calling him up for friendlies.

England also have five Euro 2008 qualifiers - against Israel, Russia (twice), Estonia and Croatia - between September and November when the MLS season is at its height.

Former England captain Beckham has 94 caps but his chances of reaching his century seem threatened by Lalas, who warned that LA Galaxy expect him to carry out commercial responsibilities to earn his pounds 25million a year.

Lalas said: "I don't want to stand in the way of a player representing his country but we have to be prudent and understand they have to be the appropriate games. From our perspective his call-up is wonderful. We have a Galaxy player who is in the mix for the England team and it is a no-brainer.

"But from a business perspective, it is not the greatest news as we are selling a team with David Beckham in it and a lot of people are excited about seeing him play for the Galaxy.

"He has a responsibility on and off the field to our organisation and our sport and he recognises that.

"But there is a bigger picture and I would never stand in the way of any of our players representing their country - I know how important it is and what an honour it is."

Beckham has already been asked to bring forward his debut for LA Galaxy to July 19 to play for an MLS Select side against Celtic in Denver to promote the league.

The Real Madrid star had been expected to play in the US for the first time three days later for LA Galaxy in a friendly with Chelsea in Los Angeles.

But that is a measure of Beckham's value to the MLS and shows they are determined to get their money's worth.

Lalas added: "If he is called up for England while he is playing with the Galaxy he will be mentally and physically fit."

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has admitted he would like to sign Beckham on loan when the US season is over in November, but Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said: "He won't be going on loan anywhere."

betfair

England v Brazill England 6/4, Brazil 7/4, draw 9/4.

Full details online at www.betfair.com