No pressure on Pearce to pick Beckham for Olympics

Stuart Pearce will be no pressure to select David Beckham for the Team GB squad for London 2012, according to the chief executive of the British Olympic Association (BOA).

The Team GB manager has reportedly travelled to America to watch the 37-year-old play for LA Galaxy, and is thought to be considering the former Three Lions captain as one of his three picks aged over 23.

And, although BOA chief Andy Hunt admitted he had discussed the possibilities for over-age selections with Pearce, he insisted that the 50-year-old will not be forced into bringing high-profile names.

He told reporters: "Stuart Pearce will make a decision on the best squad available given where he is in respect of now having assessed the players that are not involved in the Euros and the current state of injuries.

"He will then make the best call he can - on merit. I am not putting any pressure of him whatsoever to pick anyone. We discussed the whole topic of selecting over-23 players back more than a year ago but I haven't subsequently.

"We have been very clear from the outset, it's absolutely Stuart's choice and he is totally free to make the selection of the team he believes will put in the best performance. It's as simple as that."

Pearce has already been limited in his selection by a Football Association agreement which states that no-one featuring in Euro 2012 can also play at London 2012.

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has also refused to release any of his over-age players apart, from Welshman Ryan Giggs.

With Welsh duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey also said to be keen on being involved, Hunt earmarked the Olympics as an opportunity for players whose international sides are less likely to qualify for major tournaments.

"For those who are unlikely to play at the highest international level for their country - well here's a chance," he added.