England captain David Beckham says he deliberately sought a booking after breaking a rib against Wales last Saturday so he could serve out a one-match suspension while sidelined by the injury.

"It was deliberate," Beckham was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"I could feel the injury ... I knew straight away I had broken my ribs ... I knew I will be out for a few weeks so I thought: 'Let's get the yellow card out of the way,'" Beckham said.

The Real Madrid midfielder, already on a yellow card from a previous international, was injured in a collision with Ben Thatcher late in the World Cup qualifier against Wales at Old Trafford.

He stayed on the pitch long enough to launch a heavy tackle on Thatcher a few minutes later and referee Terje Hauge duly booked him.

Also Read Beckham to resume training Beckham suffers rib fracture Images: Beckham's Golden Boots

Under FIFA rules the accumulation of two yellow cards in separate games means automatic suspension for the next international.

"I am sure some people think that I have not got the brains to be that clever ... but I do have the brains," Beckham was quoted as saying.

A FIFA spokesman said it did not comment on reported statements in the media, adding the game's ruling body worldwide would have to be informed formally, such as in a complaint from an association, to look into the matter.

Beckham, who scored a spectacular goal to put England 2-0 up before his injury, will miss a qualifier away to Azerbaijan on Wednesday. Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves could take his place.

Beckham could be out of action for several weeks with the hairline fracture to his rib but Real Madrid said on Monday he would resume light training soon.