MADRID, Dec 31, 2006 (AFP) - David Beckham's star is waning at Real Madrid with supporters of the club looking increasingly to Frenchman Franck Ribery, the preference of three quarters of them, according to a poll by Marca sports daily on Sunday.
Marca had Friday reported that Real were running the rule over the French international with Beckham, yet to win silverware with the club, looking increasingly likely to leave the Bernabeu by the summer after four seasons in La Liga.
According to the Marca straw poll on its website, 71 percent of the fans would prefer the 23-year-old Ribery of Marseille and who had a good World Cup, take over the mantle of Beckham, eight years his senior and whom coach Fabio Capelllo has confined to the bench for much of the current campaign.
"Madrid fans prefer Ribery to Becks," trumpeted Marca, having Friday suggested that Marseille might countenance a deal.
Beckham's contract runs out on June 30 and he has not yet committed to offers of an extension through to 2009.
Recent reports quoting agents suggested that a stint in Serie A, possibly with Inter Milan, could be on the cards, but Beckham has more regularly been linked with US outfit Los Angeles Galaxy.
Real are again in the process of renovating their squad, having just brought in two young Argentines in the shape of Fernando Gago and Franco-Argentine Gonzago Higuain.
The meringues are also casting envious eyes at Arsenal's Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas and have still not admitted defeat in their ongoing quest for AC Milan's Brazilian jewel Kaka.
Meanwhile, Italian international striker Antonio Cassano, who missed training Saturday after he was caught in the chaos of the bombing at Barajas airport and widely expected to leave before season's end, gained favour Sunday after netting five times in a stellar, albeit training pitch, showing.
The club, five points off the pace after going into the short winter break with a 3-0 home loss to Huelva, reported additionally that midfielders Jose Antonio Reyes and Guti were nursing calf and ankle strains while Beckham had a neck strain.
Real step back into league action next week at Deportivo La Coruna, who have slid into the bottom six, hoping to add greater consistency as they chase Barcelona and leaders Seville.
Seville have a tough call at Zaragoza, chasing hard on the heels of the top four, while Barcelona face midtable Getafe away.
Barca are three points behind Seville but have a game in hand.
