Guti calls for Beckham's return to Real Madrid lineup

Real Madrid playmaker Jose Maria Guti believes his team should use David Beckham while it can.

Beckham has not played for Madrid since announcing last month that he is to leave the Spanish giants this summer to the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS.

That was six games ago and Madrid has gone 2-2-2 in that span.

Recent comments from coach Fabio Capello and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic suggest Beckham is unlikely to be brought back anytime soon, but Guti believes the former England captain is still able to contribute.

"He is a friend and a great footballer," said Guti, one of the three team captains at Madrid. "He is starting anew with another team and deserves the greatest of respect for that."

Beckham's last appearance for Real came on January 7 in a 2-0 defeat at Deportivo Coruna. Soon after, the former England captain announced his decision to join Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season.

"What we would like is that apart from just training with us, we would like him to play," Guti said. "But it is up to the club to decide that, there's nothing we can do about it. The most important thing is for the fans to support us."