David Beckham accepts his return to AC Milan on loan will not guarantee him a place in England's squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

The 34-year-old has agreed to rejoin Milan for the second half of the season from Los Angeles Galaxy following a similar arrangement during the last campaign.

The former Manchester United midfielder is hoping the move will earn him a spot in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the World Cup after the England coach warned Beckham he needed to play top-level football in the build-up to the tournament.

Beckham admits the only reason he is prepared to spend so much time away from his family over the coming months is to boost his prospects of boarding the plane to South Africa.

However, the ex-England skipper is aware that even six months in Serie A with Milan may not be enough to convince Capello to take him to a fourth World Cup.

"It's the only reason I am choosing to be away from my family for six months," Beckham told Fox Sports Radio about his desire to play at the World Cup.

"Being in the World Cup squad is not guaranteed, even if I go to Milan it is not guaranteed, but I need to do everything possible to give myself a chance.

"It's always a roller-coaster in my career ... and it is going to be like that for the next six to eight months, but I am looking forward to it."

He added: "The biggest thing for me is I go away and leave my family for six months. They come over and see me for a week every eight weeks.

"Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about my children, about my wife and my family and I hate being away from them. Being away from my family and my children kills me."