MADRID Steve McManaman said on Wednesday he still hoped to regain his place at Real Madrid, despite being dumped from the first team squad and told he has few chances of playing with them next season.
McManaman was left to train with the bit-part players and the injured in Madrid on Wednesday after being left out of Vicente del Bosque's squad for a friendly against Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese capital.
The England international said he was disappointed to find himself omitted from the squad he has yet to play so much as a minute of Real's preseason's games but denied reports that his agent was already negotiating with other clubs.
"It's not good to be left out of the squad," McManaman said in his fast improving Spanish in an interview with Real Madrid TV, the club's dedicated satellite channel.
"But I'm training hard here. I always want to play but when I'm not I'll continue working hard to get back in the side.
"It was disappointing to be left out of the squad but I hope to be in the next one." Del Bosque told McManaman earlier this week that he would have few opportunities for first team football in the coming season, despite his excellent form towards the end of his first year in Spain, capped by a goal in the Champions League final victory over Valencia.
Spanish newspapers have reported that several English clubs, including Middlesbrough, have been in talks with McManaman's agent.
(Reuter)