Israel delight at Beckham absence

By Andrew McKenzie

Berkovic earned 82 caps for Israel

Ex-Israel star Eyal Berkovic believes the decision to axe David Beckham is the reason for England's struggles.

England face a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel on Saturday after a stuttering start to their campaign without ex-skipper Beckham.

Former West Ham and Celtic midfielder Berkovic told BBC Sport: "He's their leader - there is no doubt about it.

"England have a lot of good players at the moment but they don't have a leader on the pitch."

606: DEBATE Your views ahead of Saturday's England game

Beckham has been left out of the England squad since Steve McClaren took over as coach following the World Cup finals.

A draw at home to Macedonia and defeat in Croatia has increased the pressure on McClaren and led to calls for a Beckham return.

Any chance of a recall for the Israel game was ended by a knee injury and his decision to leave Real Madrid for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy is believed to have virtually ended his international career.

But Berkovic, a hugely gifted midfielder who spent over eight years in British football with six different clubs, believes Beckham should still be a key part of McClaren's side.

In Rio Ferdinand and John Terry they have the perfect pair Eyal Berkovic

"It was a big mistake to leave him out. Any England side will miss Beckham, he has been a big part of the team for the last 10 years," added Berkovic.

"I think they miss his free-kicks and corners - they are the best in the world and in modern football it is very important to have a player like that on the pitch.

"Every time he gets the ball something is likely to happen."

Berkovic, who will be honoured on the pitch on Saturday to mark his retirement from football, believes the Group E game in Tel Aviv is wide open.

"Both teams are not in good shape at the moment," he added. "Both didn't win their last game.

"England have some suspensions and injuries and they cannot find the right team at the moment.

"Israel are at home so they have a chance to beat England. And Israel know they must win the game because if they don't it is all over for them."

England have failed to score in three of their last four games and Berkovic believes their attacking failures could again be their undoing in Tel Aviv.

He said: "In the English team I think the weakness is in attack. Since Alan Shearer and Michael Owen they haven't found a striker that will score on a regular basis.

EYAL BERKOVIC Former clubs: Maccabi Haifa, Southampton, West Ham, Celtic, Blackburn (loan), Man City, Portsmouth, Maccabi Tel-Aviv Israel: Earned 82 caps for Israel, scoring 14 goals After retiring in 2006 he had a short spell as manager of Maccabi Netanya before falling out with the owner Now works on Israeli TV and recently opened his own academy

"Wayne Rooney needs support in attack and at the moment they cannot find it.

"Tal Ben Haim has made a big improvement and he is a key man in the defence for Israel.

"There will be no problem for him despite what happened last Saturday when he played for Bolton against Rooney and Rooney was man-of-the-match.

"This is a different game and Rooney is now playing for England, not Manchester United. Tal will be a key man and he will be OK.

"Defensively England will miss Ashley Cole but in Rio Ferdinand and John Terry they have the perfect pair. Every national team in the world would be happy with this pair."

Israel go into the game without several key players, with Bolton midfielder Idan Tal, as well as striker Roberto Colautti and midfielder Yaniv Katan all suspended.

There are also doubts about the fitness of West Ham star Yossi Benayoun, who has been sidelined with a knee problem recently.

Berkovic added: "Yossi Benayoun is the leader - when he plays good the team play good, but when he is not at his best the team struggles.

"In the last few games he has come to Israel injured and I'm not sure about this time.

"After Yossi, Idan Tal is the main key in midfield and Israel will miss him."