[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] With his playing time at AC Milan shrinking, David Beckham admitted that he is not banking on making England's World Cup squad.

"I am not guaranteed to go to South Africa," he said. "I have to work hard and hopefully win my place. There are a good few months left and plenty of games to play, but hopefully I can carry on playing well and get in the squad."

Beckham's comments followed Milan's 4-0 loss at Manchester United, where he came on as a second-half sub.

Beckham's second loan spell from the Los Angeles Galaxy has not gone as well as his first in 2009. He has started only one of Milan's last five games.

If Beckham plays in the 2010 World Cup, he'd be the first English player to play in four finals in a row.