But England captain Beckham told The Sun: “As soon as he starts playing regularly then he has a chance of getting back into the England squad because he is one of the best defenders in England – and he will now be one of the best in Spain.

“Before his injury he was in contention to be one of England’s centre-halves. And playing against continental-style attackers here will help him. It’s a different style of play and he will learn from it the same way I have.”

Woodgate had time to have a row with Beckham before getting his marching orders midway through the second half, and Beckham said: “We were having an argument about defending. He was telling me how to defend.

“I was telling him to speak English because I could just about understand him. He was one of the best players until he got sent off.”