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Saturday, November 15, 2008

David Beckham awaits England squad call

Beckham awaits England squad call

David Beckham will find out on Saturday whether he will get the chance to equal Bobby Moore's tally of 108 caps in Wednesday's friendly with Germany.

England coach Fabio Capello will name his squad at around 1900 GMT - and there is speculation Beckham will be left out as he lacks match fitness.

The LA Galaxy midfielder, 33, has not played since the Major League Soccer season finished on 26 October.

But if Beckham is left out it would not signal the end of his England career.

Beckham was a member of the England team that defeated Germany 5-1 in their famous win in Munich under coach Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2001.

But his participation this time is in doubt because Capello has made it clear he will only pick players who are playing regularly and Beckham will be inactive until he joins Italian side AC Milan on loan in January.

"The door will still be open for him. It will be interesting to see how he gets on at AC Milan and he could be back in the England squad for their next friendly against Spain in February.

"But he will be picked on merit, as a squad player, not as a star who is adding to his collection of caps."

Beckham needs one more cap to equal Moore's record as England's most-capped outfield player, although he is still some way short of goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who won 125 caps.

If the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder is not included, it will be the first time that Capello has not selected him since he recalled him to the squad to face France in March.

The England coach must also decide whether to recall Michael Owen, who has played a part in Newcastle's last two games after missing three matches with a groin injury.

Capello is definitely without Chelsea pair Ashley and Joe Cole, who are both sidelined with hamstring problems.

And Wigan striker Emile Heskey is also out of action with a calf strain.

But Joe Hart and Gabriel Agbonlahor are set to be included as Capello is keen to give them more senior experience.

Manchester City goalkeeper Hart, 21, and Aston Villa striker Agbonlaor, 22, were both left out of Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad to face the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

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