Wed 26th Mar - Stade de France
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 20th March 2008
Beckham: England recall
David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for the friendly international against France in Paris on Wednesday.
It presents the former captain with the opportunity to win his 100th cap after he was left out of Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland.
Beckham's lack of match fitness in February kept him on the sidelines, but his return to pre-season action with LA Galaxy has persuaded Capello to include him in an initial 30-man party.
Young Arsenal striker Theo Walcott has been included, while highly-rated Middlesbrough defender David Wheater earns his first call-up after a series of impressive displays.
Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson has been selected, with Gabriel Agbonlahor earning his chance after missing out on the Switzerland game through injury.
Experienced Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard are back after missing the Swiss clash through injury.
Capello named Steven Gerrard as captain in Terry's absence last time out, and it remains to be seen whether the Liverpool skipper will retain the armband.
The 30-man squad will be trimmed to 23 on Saturday evening by the Italian tactician.
Goalkeepers: James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa), Kirkland (Wigan).
Defenders: Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Lescott (Everton), Upson (West Ham), Woodgate (Spurs).
Midfielders: Barry (Aston Villa), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Jenas (Spurs), Hargreaves (Man Utd), J Cole (Chelsea), Young (Aston Villa), Downing (Middlesbrough), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Bentley (Blackburn).
Strikers: Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Owen (Newcastle), Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Portsmouth).
England Qualify Win Outright: England Qualify 2/7| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 28th May | |
| International Match | |
| 20:05 | England vs USA |
| Sunday 1st June | |
| International Match | |
| TBC | Trinidad and Tobago vs England |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 26th March | |
| International Match | |
| France 1 - 0 England | |
| Wednesday 6th February | |
| International Match | |
| England 2 - 1 Switzerland | |
| Wednesday 21st November | |
| European Championship Qualifying | |
| England 2 - 3 Croatia | |
| Friday 16th November | |
| International Match | |
| Austria 0 - 1 England | |
| Wednesday 17th October | |
| European Championship Qualifying | |
| Russia 2 - 1 England | |
| Saturday 13th October | |
| European Championship Qualifying | |
| England 3 - 0 Estonia | |
| Wednesday 12th September | |
| European Championship Qualifying | |
| England 3 - 0 Russia | |
| Saturday 8th September | |
| European Championship Qualifying | |
| England 3 - 0 Israel | |
| Wednesday 22nd August | |
| International Match | |
| England 1 - 2 Germany | |
| Wednesday 6th June | |
| European Championship Qualifying | |
| Estonia 0 - 3 England | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 10 | 25 |
| 2 | Poland | 10 | 24 |
| 3 | Austria | 10 | 15 |
| 4 | Northern Ireland | 10 | 9 |
| 5 | Wales | 10 | 8 |
Owen Hargreaves is confident England centurion David Beckham has a future at international level.
Gordon Taylor believes that the UEFA Champions League has become 'the No. 1 priority' for players.
England U21 coach Stuart Pearce has backed his five senior players to feature under Fabio Capello.
England Under 21s secured a comfortable 2-0 friendly victory over Wales at the Racecourse Ground.
The FA had to pay out a total of £36.1million in operating losses and interest payments on Wembley Stadium last year.