Former England striker Alan Shearer has expressed his shock at David Beckham's omission from the Team GB squad.

Beckham, 37, was expected to be named in Stuart Pearce's side having played a major role in London getting the Olympics in the first place.

However, Pearce refused to let sentiment cloud his judgement, instead opting for Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards as his three over-23 players, a decision that Shearer has struggled to get his head around.

"I'm amazed as I thought he was going to be part of it after all he's done getting the Olympics to London," he told The Sun.

"After putting him in the initial squad I can't understand this.

"If Stuart Pearce had no intention of playing him, the least he could have done was tell him earlier."

Shearer joins Danny Mills in condemning Pearce's call, although Harry Redknapp believes that the decision shows bravery on the manager's part.