RUDI Voller wants the scandal that has tarnished Germany's build-up to their Wembley clash with England swept under the carpet until after Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

Former striker Voller, in temporary charge of the Germans, wants the internal in-fighting over the position of his eventual successor Christoph Daum to cease with the current chaos clearly causing a rift in the camp.

Bayer Leverkusen boss Daum - due to take over the national coaching job next summer - has been engulfed by sex and drugs allegations, which has left leading German football figures questioning his suitability.

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness - on the selection committee that originally picked Daum as coach - is among those who are now in favour of retaining interim coach Voller.

But Voller insists the focus must be kept on on-field matters ahead of the game and claims he does not want the job in the long-term.

''I want people to drop this subject until after the game on Saturday. I ask everybody to give 100 per cent concentration,'' he said.

''But I cannot either avoid or forbid that the players will discuss this topic among themselves.''

It has, evidently, triggered unrest within the German squad, with the Bayern players among the group sticking close together at yesterday's news conference in Germany and refusing to speak to the press while their Leverkusen counterparts expressed concern for their club coach.

Midfielder Michael Ballack said: ''We are not immediately involved but he is our coach. Of course we are concerned about this.''

Voller added: ''I still believe and I hope with all my heart that Christoph Daum will take over the national side next year.

''I am only the caretaker and I will not change from that position.''

Daum had publicly declared that he will definitely become German coach in June 2001, but claims by a convicted tax evasion criminal that Daum owes him £1m for real estate business triggered an investigation into the Leverkusen coach's private life.

Leverkusen and Daum have subsequently taken out writs for defamation.

Meanwhile, former Germany boss Franz Beckenbauer has thrown his weight behind Daum.

Bayern Munich president Beckenbauer, who is also vice president of the German Football Association (DFB), told the official Bundesliga website: ''The discussion regarding Christoph Daum should cease as quickly as possible.

''Only a few months ago, Daum was a dream candidate and we were lucky that he said he would accept the appointment. The critics should stop their attacks.''

l Joe Kinnear backed David Beckham to prosper as a future England captain and lamented the day he failed to lure the young Londoner to Wimbledon.

Kevin Keegan has named the Manchester United midfielder as vice-captain to Tony Adams for England's World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Finland.

And the former Wimbledon boss, who encountered a young Beckham working at Walthamstow greyhound stadium about ten years ago, believes he could be ready to come of age.

Kinnear said: ''The kid wears his heart on his sleeve and he's a wonderful all-round talent.

''He's got good vision, he understands the game."