Fulham captain Danny Murphy says England coach Fabio Capello is wrong to invite LA Galaxy star David Beckham to the World Cup.

Capello wants Beckham to be part of the squad as a non-playing member.

Murphy, who was forced to withdraw from England's 2002 World Cup squad after breaking a metatarsal, said: "I think Beckham being there would detract from the main event. The focus needs to remain on what is important.

"Even though he has great experience and he would help, I think the media element alone would be very difficult to manage."

Fulham midfielder Murphy knows all about the attention that follows Beckham around after being involved in the build-up to the 2002 tournament in Japan, when Beckham-mania was at fever pitch.

Murphy added: "I think Becks can take comfort from the fact that he has gone to three World Cups already and been fantastic, so he has those memories.

"He has been brilliant. However, I think taking David to the World Cup as part of the staff would be wrong.

"He is a player so once he is out of it through injury he should stay out and the other guys need to regroup and move on."