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ITN
Beckham returns to England squad
Beckham returns to England squad
David Beckham could earn his 100th England cap in next week's friendly against France.The former England captain is included in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man squad for the match in Paris.Beckham proved his fitness at the weekend when Capello's assistant Franco Baldini watched him play for LA Galaxy in a friendly.Capello said: "I always said that when David Beckham was fit he could be in the squad."I have had good reports on him from Franco Baldini, who watched him on Saturday night, and also from his club. I know a lot about David Beckham and what he can offer the team."Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott is also called up for the first time since the 2006 World Cup and there are places for fellow youngsters Gabriel Agbonlahor, Aaron Lennon and Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.Capello added: "Theo Walcott and David Wheater are two good young players who have done very well for the Under-21s this season and when I have seen them play for their clubs."Stuart Pearce has given me excellent recommendations on both players. Next week Stuart has a friendly match so it is a good opportunity for us to consider some of the younger players for the senior squad."Capello also revealed Michael Owen and Joe Cole impressed him with their performances at the weekend.He said: "I saw Michael Owen play for Newcastle on Monday at Birmingham. I felt he looked sharp, very alive and it was good to see him scoring."I should also mention Joe Cole who I thought was excellent last night for Chelsea in a very exciting game. He had a massive impact."Capello will trim the 30-man squad to 23 players at the weekend.Meanwhile, the France coach Raymond Domenech has named ten Premier League players in his squad.Arsenal players William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Bakary Sagna and Mathieu Flamini are all included along with Chelsea's Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka, Manchester United pair Louis Saha and Patrice Evra and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra.England squad to face France:Goalkeepers: Scott Carson (Aston Villa), David James (Portsmouth) and Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic).Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), David Wheater (Middlesbrough) and Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur).Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea) and Ashley Young (Aston Villa).Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) and Theo Walcott (Arsenal).© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
ITN | March 20, 2008
