Banned Beckham likely to be free for England's U.S. tour

David Beckham should be available to play in both matches of England's tour of the U.S. after incurring a suspension for picking up a booking in Real's 0-0 draw at home to city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

The England captain received a yellow card for a challenge on Atletico defender Sergi in the 61st minute of the Primera Liga clash.

It meant he completed a cycle of five bookings and will miss Real's last match of the season at Real Zaragoza.

Real are likely to free Beckham for England's two-match tour of the U.S. although Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said he would discuss the matter with the player and club before taking a final decision. England's opening tour match is against the U.S. in Chicago on May 28.

Although Beckham was lucky to escape being booked for a foul on Atletico midfielder Gonzalo Colsa earlier in the match he insisted he was not trying to get booked and had been keen to be involved in Real's last game of the season.

"I didn't get booked deliberately, I would never do that," he said. "It would never have been a yellow card in England."

"As far as I am concerned I will be spending the week with the team (Real Madrid). I wanted to play in the Zaragoza game."

Sports daily AS quoted him as saying: "I'm going to ask the club if I can go to the United States, but my first responsibility is to Real Madrid."

Beckham's Real Madrid team mate Michael Owen cannot join up with the England squad until their second match against Colombia in New Jersey on May 31.