Curfew for Becks

Victoria Beckham wants to impose a curfew on husband David to stop him being seen alongside women in nightclubs.

Friends say she has threatened to abandon plans to make a home with him in Madrid if he continues being seen out in the early hours.

While she is not worried about his loyalty to her and their two sons, she is understood to be furious that what she calls his 'stupidity' is fuelling rumours of marital strife.

The former Spice Girl flew out to the Spanish capital on Saturday amid speculation of a showdown. She fears that any sign of a rift with Beckham, whose personal success is now greater than ever, could diminish her own attempts to relaunch her pop career.

Yesterday, the couple went for a spin in Beckham's £80,000 red Aston Martin. He took the wheel despite having injured his right foot playing for Real Madrid in Saturday night's defeat by Valencia.

And unlike his stony-faced wife, he managed a smile as they drove through the city streets.

The England soccer captain, transferred for £25million this summer from M a n c h e s t e r United, had earlier been pictured two nights in a row with a pretty brunette.

Beckham, 28, was seen chatting animatedly to Rebecca Loos in

the candlelit VIP section of Madrid's Ananda Club. Miss Loos, a Spanish speaker who works as the Beckhams' personal assistant in Madrid, had dined with the footballer and four other friends before they headed for the nightspot after midnight.

They stayed until 3.30am, when Beckham and Miss Loos got into an Audi together. The following night they were seen dining with two male associates.

Madrid locals point out that social life in the city does not come alive until late at night - most football matches do not even kick off until after 9pm.

Nevertheless 29-year-old Victoria, who has spent less than a month in Madrid since Beckham's move there three months ago, was said to be 'in a complete rage'.

'She knows there is absolutely nothing in the speculation that he could be unfaithful but she is furious at his stupidity,' said a source close to the couple.

'She was so angry she even threatened not to move to Madrid with the boys if he keeps going out like this.'

Part of Victoria's fury apparently stems from the fact that she no longer controls Beckham's life.

'She realises that she desperately needs him to help her career, while he doesn't really need her to boost his profile,' added the source.

'Up until now she has always had control in what he does. In the last few months she is starting to lose that control.'

Beckham has done his best to play down rumours of marital strife since he and his wife were pictured partying separately - he with teammates, she in London with record producer Damon Dash. At the weekend, he said: 'It doesn't really get on my nerves because I am a professional person; there isn't a problem even if other people want to make one. Victoria and I are strong people, we have strong families behind us and we have a strong marriage.'

Last week the couple issued a statement denying a marital crisis. A day later, Beckham was heard speaking into his mobile phone.

'I need you here now,' he was reportedly heard to say. 'I'm not taking No for an answer. I need my family with me.

'It's not fair on me. I'm trying everything to keep it together.'