BECKHAM HURT BY CAPELLO SNUB

David Beckham has admitted the thought of never playing for Real Madrid again "hurt a lot" when manager Fabio Capello froze him out of first-team duty earlier this season. Capello said that the former England captain had played his last game for the club after it was revealed that he had signed a five-year £128-million deal to join Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles Galaxy. But Beckham continued to train hard and eventually convinced the Italian manager that he was worthy of a recall before dramatically scoring on his return to the side. Speaking about Capello's decision to leave him in the cold, the former Manchester United midfielder conceded that he was shocked. He told Sky Sports 2: "I was really surprised. He (Capello) has always been pretty fair with me. "He's been really respectful of me as a person and a player and that's why it was such a surprise. "But he's shown what sort of a person and man - and manager - he is now. "I was thinking I would never play (for Real) again and it was hurting me a lot." The midfielder, 31, refused to criticise his manager when he was stuck on the sidelines, explaining that he has too much respect to lash out at his boss. "I'm thankful (to Capello). I would never come out publicly and criticise him. He's too respected in the game and I respect him. "(I reacted) the same way I've always come back from things, like whenever people say I'm not up to the job. "I proved to him I am a professional. I think he said, 'How can he be committed to the team when he's signed to someone else?' "But I proved I am committed; it doesn't matter if I'm going. "I'll still go flying into tackles and try and win something with this team." Now Beckham, who has just returned to the side after a knee injury, will play a part in Real's unlikely bid for the Primera Liga title and get the chance to compete once again in what he considers to be one of the world's finest sporting arenas. "For me playing at the Bernabeu is one of the best feelings in the world. "I always loved playing at the Bernabeu and when I look back, playing at the Bernabeu will be the highlight of playing at Madrid except, obviously, for wearing the famous white shirt."

BECKHAM RETURNS TO FIRE REAL's TITLE PUSH

David Beckham returned from a six-week injury absence to set up Real Madrid's winner in a 2-1 victory over Primera Liga title rivals Valencia at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored with a spectacular volley to put Real in front before Fernando Morientes levelled against his former club soon after the break. Beckham, fit again after a knee injury, came on as a second-half substitute and provided a trademark free kick for Sergio Ramos to head the deciding goal in the 73rd minute. Real climbed to second in the table on 57 points, two behind leaders Barcelona who visit Villarreal on Sunday. Third-placed Sevilla (55) host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Valencia (53) are fourth. Real Sociedad kept up their chances of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 home win over Atletico Madrid. Serbian striker Darko Kovacevic poked in Savio's cross for the opener before Brazilian forward Savio made it 2-0 with a volley six minutes from time.

BECKHAM TO MISS FIFTH GAME WITH REAL

David Beckham will miss his fifth straight league game for Real Madrid on Saturday due to a sprained right knee ligament. The 31-year-old midfielder was ruled out Friday from Madrid's 20-man squad to play Racing Santander in the Spanish league. Beckham ran into the advertising signs behind the goal during Madrid's league game against Getafe on March 4 to damage ligaments in his knee. On Thursday, Beckham returned to the locker room after light training and didn't practice with the rest of the squad. Madrid is third in the league with 54 points, two behind leader FC Barcelona and one back from Sevilla. In July, Beckham will start a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.