England coach Steve McClaren is to meet up with David Beckham in Washington on Thursday in a bid to check up on the midfielder's fitness.

Beckham, formerly of Real Madrid, is yet to make his Major League Soccer debut for Los Angeles Galaxy after failing to shrug off the ankle injury he aggravated on his England comeback in June.

The 32-year-old is likely to miss Thursday's encounter with DC United and is doubtful for England's friendly with Germany on August 22.

McClaren, speaking to reporters in London on Monday, said: "I know David has been struggling with injury and has not played yet but I intend to go over and have a chat with him to see how he is.

"I definitely need to speak with his coach (Frank Yallop) and the director of football (Alexei Lalas) as well, but I also need to watch an MLS game in the flesh and have a look at the standard.

"A lot of people have been writing things about the standard of football over there. But I need to see it myself and make that judgement rather than other people."

After he returns from the United States, McLaren plans to see four games in the first five days of the new English Premier League season.

Starting at West Ham on Saturday, McClaren will then head to Manchester United, Tottenham and Portsmouth, casting his eye over as many potential squad before announcing his squad to face Germany a week on Friday.

"The good thing is I can make the trip to see David without missing anything back here," he added. "I will be back for the opening games on Saturday and I will also be at matches on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

"This week was the best chance I had to get over. So, while I hope David will be involved, at least I will get a chance to speak with him."