Beckham waits on England squad

Capello to name initial 30-man party for France clash

Last updated: 20th March 2008

David Beckham LA Galaxy

Beckham: England hope

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David Beckham is to discover if he will get the chance to earn his 100th England cap later this morning.

New boss Fabio Capello left the former captain out of his first squad but has been strongly considering recalling him for the game with France in Paris on 26th March.

Capello will name his provisional squad for the game before lunch today and both Beckham and young Arsenal striker Theo Walcott have been tipped for inclusion.

Beckham has declared his fitness after coming through several pre-season friendlies with LA Galaxy, and Capello sent out his No.2 Franco Baldini to assess the 32-year-old midfielder last week.

Meanwhile, Walcott's recent displays for Arsenal have caught Capello's eye and it may be no coincidence that the Gunners star, who has just turned 19, was one of those left out of the England U21 squad.

Captaincy conundrum

Chelsea pair Frank Lampard and John Terry are certain to return to the England squad of 30, and there are spaces to fill among the defenders with Curtis Davies, Matthew Upson and Micah Richards - named in Capello's first squad in January - all injured.

Terry's return will also open up the question of who will be captain in Paris next week.

Steven Gerrard had the armband against Switzerland and has expressed his desire to stay as skipper but Capello has insisted he will share the captaincy around before settling on a final choice before England's World Cup qualification campaign opens.

The goalkeeping choices are more straightforward as with Manchester City's Joe Hart named in the U21s, David James, Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland can all expect the nod.

James has been in sparkling form - especially at those matches when Capello has been watching in person - and can expect to start against France on Wednesday.