Let young stars shine, Becks tells Hodgson

David Beckham has urged England manager Roy Hodgson to unleash his squad’s emerging youngsters at the World Cup.

Hodgson has selected several gifted prodigies, including Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw, for the tournament in Brazil.

Former England captain Beckham believes the coach shouldn’t be afraid to throw the side’s young players into the fray in Brazil despite their lack of international experience.

Liverpool winger Sterling, 19, Everton midfielder Barkley, 20, and Southampton left-back Shaw, 18, have only 12 caps between them.

But Beckham burst on to the global stage as a 23-year-old at the 1998 World Cup in France, scoring in his first start in the competition, against Colombia.

And the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder is convinced England would benefit if Hodgson puts his faith in a new generation of exciting talent.

Speaking at a charity event in London yesterday, Beckham said: “People talked about how we’ve got young players going out to a World Cup, to one of the biggest competitions in the world — are young players up for it? I’ve no doubt they’re up for it.

“These players play in the biggest leagues in the world. They play against some of the best players, some of the biggest players, so without a doubt, it doesn’t matter how young they are, it doesn’t matter what age they are.

“Young players are not scared to go out there and perform and play for themselves and play for the team, and so they’ll be ready.” After years of underachievement at international tournaments, there is little expectation that England will win the World Cup for the first time since 1966. They have been drawn in a tough group including Italy — their opening opponents on Sunday (NZ time) — Copa America champions Uruguay and Costa Rica.

But Beckham, who won 115 caps and played in three World Cups, is upbeat about England’s chances in Brazil.

“Yeah very optimistic,” the 39-year-old said.