David Beckham finds it "hard" being away from his family.

The soccer star has returned to work and travelled to New Jersey earlier this week for a MLS All Stars game against his old team Manchester United yesterday (27.07.11), where he admitted he was counting the hours until he could be reunited with his wife Victoria, their two-week-old daughter Harper Seven and sons Brooklyn, 12, Romeo, eight, and six-year-old Cruz.

He said: "We have been so lucky with her, and it was hard leaving them all the other day.

"It's always hard leaving my family. Having a two-week-old daughter and leaving her, and leaving the boys and wife Victoria, it was difficult. I can't wait to get back and to hold her and kiss her."

David - who described his daughter as "absolutely fabulous" - is thrilled with how well his sons have coped with the new addition to their household and is hopeful they will show her the same affection in years to come.

He added to UsMagazine.com: "The boys won't put her down. They won't leave her alone, so I hope they are like that in 20 years."