England U23 national team coach Stuart Pearce has admitted he will travel to the USA to run the rule over LA Galaxy star David Beckham.
The former England senior captain is eligible as one of three players over the age of 23 to play for their nation at this summer's London Olympic Games but Pearce insists reputations will count for nothing in his squad.
"I will know a bit more when I go to the States to see what form [Beckham] is in, he's made the shortlist and he has been a great ambassador for this country and the Olympics, but that's no recommendation that he will get in the squad and that's fair and square across the board for all players.""[I will pick] solely on merit. It's the only way any manager picks a squad or a team and I will do exactly the same," he told BBC Sport.
