CHRIS Sutton has warned David Beckham he could be in for an "horrendous" time next season following his costly and controversial World Cup exit, writes PETER WHITE.

The Blackburn Rovers striker, who knows what it is like to be taunted at away grounds following his decision not to play in an England B game, felt Beckham's action against Argentina was petulant and unnecessary.

And he believes problems for the player could linger on when he turns out for Manchester United next season.

"I thought it was very petulant, he didn't need to do it," said Sutton appearing on Granada TV's 'Talking Balls' programme late last night.

"It will be horrendous for him (next season).

"Last season I don't think he helped himself at times. Now he's going to take a hell of a lot of flak.

"He will obviously have to be careful what he says to other people because the World Cup will always be thrown in his face. He has to be mentally tough."

Sutton would dearly have liked to have been part of the World Cup scene but accepts that Glenn Hoddle is unlikely to give him another England call.

"I would have liked to have been there, being a professional," he said. "But I am not envious of Michael Owen, he was absolutely fantastic. The bottom line for me is that Glenn Hoddle doesn't rate me." That's how it seems to me."

Following his refusal to play for the B team he admitted that his England prospects had gone "downhill" since then, but he also pointed out: "Matthew Le Tissier scored a hat-trick in a B game and didn't get a look in."

Sunderland boss Peter Reid, who also appeared on the programme, said he would have taken Sutton to France.

Asked if he and Alan Shearer simply didn't get on and that could have been part of the reason for his England exclusion, Sutton added: "No not at all. You are more friendly with some players than others and I don't phone him up every night.

"But I don't phone any Blackburn or Norwich players every night either."

Reid said: "Like any manager, sometimes I speak to my senior pros. I think Glenn would have spoken to Alan along with other senior players."

And on Teddy Sheringham's initial inclusion in the side Sutton commented: "Players prefer playing with certain players. If Teddy Sheringham is going to slip him (Shearer) in for more goal chances than Michael Owen, then he will probably prefer playing with Sheringham."

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Roy Hodgson has come to the defence of Beckham and he also believes that the young stars who have emerged for England in France could carry them through to glory in 2002.

Writing in his Daily Telegraph column, Hodgson said of the Argentina defeat: "It was certainly a very unfair result. David Beckham is no villain.

"The Argentinians made the most of the incident and that helped to get Beckham sent off. The referee obviously saw it as aggression but for me it was a yellow card at the most.

"It was just a reaction to the player falling all over him."

Steve Staunton, previously linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers, has completed his anticipated return to Liverpool on a free transfer after his Aston Villa contract expired this week.

Tomorrow is the last day for existing season-ticket holders to guarantee renewal of their own seats. Anyone requiring further information about season tickets can either vbisit Ewood or call free on the hotline - 0321-101010.

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