By Phil McNulty Chief football writer

Butcher is convinced Beckham will never play for England again

Butcher was a critic of Beckham's displays during the Real Madrid star's latter years as England skipper.

And Beckham has again been left out of the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia.

Butcher said: "I have been saying for two years that it was time for other people. McClaren has got it right."

Former BBC pundit Butcher, now coach of Sydney FC in Australia, believes England would have had more success in the ill-fated World Cup campaign in Germany had the then coach Sven-Goran Eriksson adopted the midfield formation favoured by his successor McClaren.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard has taken Beckham's right-flank role, while Owen Hargreaves has been the midfield anchor man alongside Frank Lampard in the centre.

Butcher said: "I hate to say I told you so - but I told you so.

"It is sad when you herald the end of a great England career and David has had a great England career but I have thought for a long time that other people should be in.

"I still believe that if England had resorted to the midfield that McClaren is playing now in the World Cup, although we will have to do without Hargreaves now because of injury in these qualifiers, we would have progressed.

"I don't think there is any way back for him now either. Even if there was a whole host of injuries to other players, I'm sure Steve McClaren would pick someone else."

Butcher added: "David has had 10 fantastic years and done tremendously well for his country. He should never feel he has let anyone down but it is time to move on.