Beckham to return

Steve McClaren has called a press conference in his home town of Yarm today at which, barring a late and unexpected twist, the England manager will almost certainly announce an end to David Beckham's international exile.

After a frenzied day of will-he-won't-he speculation the indications last night were McClaren had convinced himself Beckham's inclusion would be a valuable short-term fix for a team languishing fourth in their Euro 2008 qualifying group.

The call-up is likely to divide opinion in England and has created divisions inside the FA, England's assistant manager, Terry Venables, thought to be among those harbouring reservations.

Beckham has not played for England since the World Cup last summer and was seemingly abandoned when McClaren took over. But desperate times call for desperate measures and uppermost in the coach's thoughts is the fact Beckham's involvement would add to the sense of occasion when England play Brazil at Wembley on Friday and maybe give the team and crowd a lift for the qualifier in Estonia five days later.

Beckham would rather it was for football reasons. He has been in impressive form during Madrid's climb to the top of the Spanish league. McClaren has not been to see him at the Bernabeu but has been closely monitoring his form and appears to have taken little heed of Venables's misgivings. Sources say it is 80 per cent certain Beckham will return, particularly as there are doubts about Aaron Lennon's fitness. The Tottenham player lasted only 10 minutes of the England B match against Albania.

Beckham's comeback may moreover be brief because it is almost unimaginable he could reach the 100-cap mark - he is on 94 - when playing in the US.

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Wales left back Gareth Bale from Southampton for an undisclosed fee.

The 17-year-old was close to joining Spurs during the last transfer window but stayed at St Mary's and helped George Burley's side into the Championship play-offs. Manchester United had expressed an interest in the teenager in January, Alex Ferguson admitting Spurs were ahead of them in the race to him.

Although Bale has been linked with United, and also Arsenal, since Southampton's promotion hopes ended, Spurs have moved quickly following the completion of the season as they did a year ago in signing Dimitar Berbatov.