Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Page updated at 07:23 AM
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NewsvineBeckham Recalled to England Squad
AP Sports Writer
David Beckham was recalled by England on Thursday and could make his 100th international appearance in next week's exhibition game at France.
Beckham was overlooked for coach Fabio Capello's debut win over Switzerland last month because the former captain wasn't playing during Major League Soccer's offseason.
But he returned to action for the Los Angeles Galaxy in last week's exhibition against FC Dallas and was named in a 30-man provisional squad.
Even though the squad will be trimmed to 23 after the weekend's Premier League matches, Beckham will face tough competition for a place on the right of midfield from David Bentley, Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Walcott was recalled almost two years after making his only appearance, while Bentley impressed when he started in the 2-1 win over Switzerland.
Capello named largely the same squad as he did for the that match, but recalled John Terry and Frank Lampard after they returned to fitness, and drafted in Middlesbrough defender David Wheater for the first time.
The 32-year-old Beckham could become just the fifth player to reach 100 appearances for England, but could be on the bench at Stade de France.
Bentley or Wright-Phillips seem the most likely starters, with Beckham just returning to action and Walcott a key substitute for Arsenal this season.
The speedy Arsenal forward set up the crucial second goal for Emmanuel Adebayor in a 2-0 Champions League win at defending champion AC Milan two weeks ago, but has not played an international since becoming the youngest player to represent England _ playing a warmup for the 2006 World Cup at 17 years and 175 days.
Walcott made it into the World Cup squad but never played at the tournament. He was left out of Capello's first squad so that he could play for the under-21 team.
Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor was picked again after withdrawing from the Switzerland match because of an injury, joining Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Walcott among the attackers.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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