McClaren has been lambasted in some quarters for his flight to Los Angeles, with Terry Butcher among those to claim it was "farcical" to undertake the journey purely to see Beckham play in an exhibition match for LA Galaxy against a team largely made up of Hollywood celebrities.

Yet McClaren, who did not actually see the game, has revealed there was far more to the 11,000-mile round trip than that.

Having heard plenty about Beckham's new life in the United States, not all of which was positive, McClaren felt it was necessary to speak with the former Real Madrid star face-to-face ahead of confirming the 32-year-old's place in his squad for next Friday's friendly in Austria and the potentially-crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia on November 21.

It took barely 10 minutes in Beckham's company for McClaren to be convinced the midfielder still had a role to play for England, although he headed home having delivered a fairly blunt message.

"One of the things I build my management on is a relationship with the players," outlined McClaren.

"It has got to be close, the closer the better.

"Going to see David Beckham was a long-term thing. I wanted to look at how he is training, who he is training with and what the future is. I want to know he will be fit enough to continue.

"I know David is motivated and I know he wants to continue playing for England.

"But it has to be made clear - and I think he understands this - he is in the squad but he still has a lot to prove."

The arrival of Ruud Gullit as new LA Galaxy manager adds another element of uncertainty to Beckham's new career, which has so far been blighted by injury.

Yet McClaren is happy to dispel any mischievous belief Beckham will soon be heading back home to Europe to resume his career.

Reports of disenchantment with life in the United States are, apparently, well wide of the mark.

"I have read a few things that suggested he wasn't enjoying the life or the experience over there," said McClaren.

"From what I saw, nothing could be further from the truth.

"David loves the life over there. He is settled, the kids are in great schools and overall, he has a great lifestyle.

"He realises he still has a lot to prove to people over there because of the injury situation but he also knows he has failed to capitalise on the impact he made with England when he came back during the summer.

"I just think he is itching to prove to everybody his injury his all right and he is fit."

McClaren was unwilling to shed any light on the suggestion Beckham may come back to England to train this winter once LA Galaxy have concluded their end-of-season tour.

The former Middlesbrough boss knows it could all be irrelevant to him any way if results do not turn England's way next weekend.

Despite McClaren's insistence Beckham is not guaranteed a place against Austria, it would be amazing if he did not win a 98th cap in Vienna, with a 99th likely against Croatia.

However, as everyone of an England persuasion is acutely aware, for the Wembley encounter to have any meaning, Israel must not lose to Russia in Tel Aviv next Saturday otherwise McClaren and his team will be out.

McClaren has already offered a stiff defence of his credentials as England coach but he knows his future - should England fail to reach their first major tournament since the 1994 World Cup - will be in the hands of others.

And, if there is a change at the top, there is no guarantee Beckham would reach the cherished milestone of 100 caps.

"David Beckham wants to be involved, whether it is under me or anyone else," said McClaren.

"He knows he needs to be fitter. He is under no illusions he needs to be 100%.

"I have no regrets about leaving him out in the first place but equally, I had no hesitation in bringing him back."