• London Olympics 2012

Pearce coy on Beckham's Olympic chances

David Beckham has made no secret of his desire to play at London 2012 © Getty Images

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Stuart Pearce has hinted the inclusion of David Beckham in the Great Britain team at London 2012 will hinge largely on the availability of the likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Pearce was confirmed as men's head coach for Team GB on Thursday, and he warned players would not be picked on reputation alone. While some doubt remains as to whether players from the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Football Associations will make themselves available, Pearce remains hopeful he will have a big pool of talent from which to pick his squad.

Olympic rules state that the team must be made up of predominantly Under-23 players, while Pearce will be permitted to pick three overage players. Beckham has made no secret of his desire to play, but Pearce refused to be drawn on whether the former England captain figured in his plans.

Pearce insisted the younger players will form the backbone of the team, with his three older players filling in the positions he feels are weakest, and he insisted the question of who would captain the team had not even crossed his mind.

"David has been a great ambassador, not just for the Olympic ideal, but for himself over the time he has been involved in football," Pearce told Sky Sports News. "But there is a long way to go - form and fitness will play a big part in [my decision] and the make-up of the squad as well.

"With three overage players I think you have got to have a look at the younger age group of players and see what quality you have got in certain positions and then from there those three overage picks will be vital.

"I get a squad of players together and I see how they train and I see the dynamics of the squad and from there I pick the captain. I don't go into a tournament picking a captain beforehand, that's how I do it as a gaffer."

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