Madrid, June 27: Fears that England captain David Beckham would have to compete with Luis Figo for a place in the Real Madrid team next season have been dispelled by new Real coach Carlos Queiroz.
Queiroz, Beckham's coach at Manchester United where he was deputy to Alex Ferguson, is considering switching Beckham to central midfield so Figo can continue on the right-hand side.
Beckham was used on the right by United manager Alex Ferguson.
"When people ask me whether having Luis Figo and David Beckham in the same team means one of them will sit on the bench, then I say that will only happen when one of them is injured or out of form," Queiroz said yesterday.
He believed Beckham had the skill and stamina to play in central midfield.



"David is a brilliant professional, the type of guy who didn't miss one training session while I was at United. He is born to run - and I say that because it's as if he's addicted to training and working, making himself fitter and stronger. I like that ethic."



Queiroz admitted he might have to cope with player-power at Real where sacked coach Vincente Del Bosque was believed to let the players have the final say on training and tactics.


Bureau Report