Becks backs tour results

David Beckham believes that the emergence of young talent has validated England's controversial tour to America.

Sven Goran Eriksson's end of year trip was criticised by Premiership bosses such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Graeme Souness for putting unnecessary strain on already tired performers.

However, the likes of Michael Carrick and Kieran Richardson reaped the benefits of Eriksson's decision as they put in impressive performances in the victories over United States and Columbia.

With the World Cup just twelve months away Beckham, who remained in America to promote his new academy, says that the tour was important in highlighting the strength in depth available to his Swedish boss.

"The tour has been very good," said Beckham. "There are a lot of young players in the team and they have shown the manager what they can do.

"It's not my decision whether one or two go the World Cup but I am sure the performances of the young lads have shown the manager what they are about.

"They have done really well. They have shown in the last two games how good they are and that we have got great talent coming through in England."

The England skipper also admitted that he is desperate to secure an international trophy with the Three Lions, after missing out in the four major tournaments he has participated in to date.

The Real Madrid man has had an unhappy time of it on international football's biggest stages, after being dismissed against Argentina in World Cup 1998 and struggling with injury during the 2002 tournament, although he is keen to rectify this in the future.

"People have said, `Would you consider yourself a failure if you didn't win anything with England?' and I would never think that at the end of my career," Beckham continued.

"But I would always think that I've missed out on something because winning something with England is a massive thing for me, the players and the manager.

"To be part of that, winning a major competition - especially when you see our loyal fans and the travelling they put in to support us - for me would be special."