Fabio Capello may leave out David Beckham of England squad to face Germany

The England coach has a policy of omitting those who are not playing, and the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder falls into that category.

Although Beckham has worked hard to retain Capello's faith, making a series of substitute appearances for England to close in on Bobby Moore's outfield record of 108 caps, he is already two weeks into the Galaxy's long winter break.

Beckham has agreed to join AC Milan on loan in January to maintain his fitness, before rejoining the Galaxy in March for the Major League Soccer season.

For the Germany game, Capello is more interested in studying the form of other England contenders, such as David Bentley and his Tottenham team-mate Bent.

Capello will be at White Hart Lane tomorrow to watch Bent, among others, play for Tottenham against Liverpool in the Carling Cup. Bent could replace Emile Heskey in next week's England squad after the Wigan striker was injured at the weekend.

Whether Bent starts against Liverpool remains to be seen, but having already staked a claim for this season's 'golden boot' with 11 goals, he is being backed by Tottenham captain Ledley King for an England call-up.

Bent has scored seven in the Premier League, adding two more in Sunday's 2-1 win over Manchester City to steer Tottenham out of the bottom three. The £16.5 million striker has not featured for his country since playing in the dying moments of the defeat to Croatia a year ago. But King urged Capello to consider giving Bent, who has three senior England caps, another opportunity.

"We're delighted with him at the moment," the centre-back said. "His finishing is superb and he deserves his chance to play for England. He is the top English scorer and that speaks for itself."