Beckham returns to England squad
ENGLAND v SPAIN
Date: Wednesday, 11 February Kick-off: 2100 GMT Venue: Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
 Beckham is one cap shy of Bobby Moore's 108-appearance record |
David Beckham has been named in Fabio Capello's England squad for the friendly against Spain on 11 February.
Beckham has impressed during his loan spell with AC Milan and will now be given the chance to equal Bobby Moore's record of 108 England appearances.
Carlton Cole and James Milner are both named in the squad for the first time.
Wayne Rooney is left out and Emile Heskey, while named in the squad, came off in Saturday's game between Aston Villa and Blackburn and may be a doubt.
Rooney had been expected to miss out with Capello deciding not to risk the striker, who has been out since damaging his hamstring against Wigan in January.
Beckham played for AC Milan in their 1-1 draw at home to Reggina in Italy's Serie A on Saturday, a result which leaves his team eight points behind arch-rivals Inter at the top of the league.
His attempts to equal Moore's outfield caps record have previously been frustrated - he was left out of the squad that beat Germany in Berlin in November - but Capello had hinted the 33-year-old was likely to win a recall.
"He is a media star and for this reason all the fans spoke about him in this way before he arrived; like a star not a player," said Capello earlier in the week.
"But now he has played three games, and every game has been better."
Capello praises Beckham
The inclusion of Cole and Milner comes on the back of excellent performances at club level.
Although he has won 19 caps at under-21 level, Cole has only recently been thought of as a senior international prospect.
After failing to hold down a regular place at Chelsea, Cole has prospered since joining West Ham in 2006, particularly following Gianfranco Zola's installation as manager.
The 25-year-old has scored six times in the Hammers' current eight-match unbeaten run, taking his tally for the season to 10.
And, with Rooney left out, Cole is expected to play some part against the Euro 2008 winners.
Milner is one of six Villa players in a 23-man squad in which Rio Ferdinand returns.
Ferdinand has not partnered skipper John Terry in central defence since the famous win over Croatia in September.
Ashley Cole is also back for the first time since the World Cup qualifying win over Kazakhstan in October, while Joe Hart retains his place among a three-man group of goalkeepers despite losing his Manchester City spot to Shay Given.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has called up Barcelona defender Gerard Pique to his squad to face England.
The squad also sees the return of Valencia midfielder David Silva, while Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas is out because of a long-term injury.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is also included despite concerns over his fitness following his withdrawal from the FA Cup defeat to Everton on Wednesday.
 |
But Benitez hopes the Spanish management will be considerate when it comes to Torres' involvement in Seville.
"There is no point worrying about him playing for Spain next week because we know he will be selected, whatever we say," said Benitez.
"The Spanish manager (Vicente del Bosque) has tried to contact me, but we missed each other. But we will talk.
"We have been speaking to the Spanish squad's fitness coach, so they know the situation.
"They know our players are involved in a lot of games now and they will take care of him."
Torres' Reds team-mates Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera are included in the 22-man party.
England squad:
Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Man City), David James (Portsmouth).
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Man City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Luke Young (Villa).
Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Gareth Barry (Villa), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Ashley Young (Villa).
Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Villa), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Villa).
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool).
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Juan Gutierrez (Real Betis), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Albert Riera (Liverpool), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia).
Forwards: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao ), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).
Posts
