AS much as Pablo Counago and his team-mates are relishing the thought of David Beckham being in their midst, he is more concerned with the crosses from the likes of Jon Walters and Gary Roberts for now.

By Derek Davis

AS much as Pablo Counago and his team-mates are relishing the thought of David Beckham being in their midst, he is more concerned with the crosses from the likes of Jon Walters and Gary Roberts for now.

Blues boss Jim Magilton confirmed this week that he would welcome Beckham to the Ipswich Town training centre if LA Galaxy's manager wanted his star player to train with them during the winter months.

Counago is a big fan of the England and former Real Madrid midfielder and recognises the positive influence he would bring.

The Spaniard said: “David Beckham is the biggest star in football and for me it would be great to train with him.

“I would love to see him train and how he does things. It is good to learn how players do certain things. If he was in the team, his crosses would be great but just training would be fine.

“It is not something I will worry about because my priority is my team and who is playing now.

“Players like Gary Roberts and Jon Walters are more important right now because they are the ones I work with and partner in a game.

“Beckham is in another world and while it would be great for Ipswich Town and everyone it is not something I think about.”

Someone Counago is closer to is former Blues coach Tony Mowbray who the Spaniard has great respect for and is looking forward to meeting again today at West Brom.

He said: “It will be good to see Tony again. We will shake hands but it is about the 90 minutes and maybe we will talk after.

“He was very good for me, always trying to help me. He always tried to hep all the players but it was a special time working with him and felt very close to him. He was always an upbeat and happy man and always very encouraging.

“I'm not surprised he did so well in Scotland and I can see him doing well again at West Brom.”

Counago, who netted on his first game back for Blues, is enjoying his second stint with Town after a spell at Malaga.

But he will be happier if he can score a rare goal away from home but believes playing against a good footballing side like Albion could help him. Counago said: “They will play the ball and, likes us, like to play good football.

“In a way, it is easier to play teams that play the same way and, while we know they are a good team, we can do well there.”

Counago is hoping to maintain his partnership with leading scorer Alan Lee, who is recovering well after a hamstring spasm and will be given a fitness test this morning to make sure he is fully fit to play.

The squads

West Brom: Kiely, Hoefkens, Barnett, Albrechtsen, Robinson, Teixeira, Greening, Gera, Morrison, Beattie, Phillips, Slusarski, Chaplow, Brunt, Miller, Clement, Koran, Pele.

Ipswich Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Bruce, Harding, Peters, Miller, Garvan, Walters, Lee, Counago, Roberts, Supple, Clarke, Legwinski, Bowditch, Casement.

Referee: Mr J Moss (West Yorkshire).