Beckham returns to England squad

[MrsB]

BBC SPORT, 2009/02/07 20:49:27 GMT

ENGLAND v SPAIN
Date: Wednesday, 11 February
Kick-off: 2100 GMT
Venue: Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Five Live

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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.

England manager Capello had hinted the 33-year-old was likely to win a recall.

Beckham's attempts to equal Moore's record have previously been frustrated - he was left out of the squad that beat Germany in Berlin in November.

"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."

Carlton Cole and James Milner could win their first England caps after being named in the squad.

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.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez has voiced his concerns over Torres' participation on Wednesday, and is resigned to his star striker being involved.

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.

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England squad:

Goalkeepers: Green (West Ham), Hart (Man City), James (Portsmouth).

Defenders: Bridge (Man City), A Cole (Chelsea), R Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham), L Young (Villa).

Midfielders: Beckham (LA Galaxy), Barry (Villa), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Villa), Wright-Phillips (Man City), A Young (Villa).

Forwards: Agbonlahor (Villa), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Portsmouth), 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).

[Joe King]

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Green (West Ham), Hart (Man City), James (Portsmouth).

Defenders: Bridge (Man City), A Cole (Chelsea), R Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham), L Young (Villa).

Midfielders: Beckham (LA Galaxy), Barry (Villa), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Villa), Wright-Phillips (Man City), A Young (Villa).

Forwards: Agbonlahor (Villa), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Portsmouth), Heskey (Villa).

Sell out

[MrsB]

[Shanks]

Galaxy reject Milan's Beckham bid




LA Galaxy have rejected a bid from AC Milan to sign England midfielder David Beckham on a permanent deal.

The 33-year-old is on loan with the Italian club and is due to return to the MLS side on 9 March.

He had earlier expressed a desire to remain with Milan and hoped that the clubs could reach agreement.

Tim Leiweke, chief executive of Galaxy owners AEG told the LA Times: "We received an offer. It was rejected. We need to end the circus and the zoo."

Beckham, who has scored twice in five games for Milan, signed a five-year contract with the Galaxy in 2007 and while Leiweke reiterated Galaxy's desire to retain the midfielder, he did not rule out a compromise with the Serie A club. David has made it very clear that if our decision is to bring him back here, he will return

Tim Leiweke, chief executive of LA Galaxy owners AEG

"Clearly, if David's in a position where he wants to finish the season in Milan," added Leiweke.

"If Milan in turn compensates the Galaxy so that we can suffer no damages to our fans or to our team, then we'll take a look at it.

"If David ultimately is an asset for this team, we want him back.

"He (Beckham) has never forced our hand on anything.

"This is not a legal conversation and has never been a legal conversation. He does not have lawyers looking at the contract."

Beckham still hopes to retain his place in the England set-up with the 2010 World Cup looming.

"David has made it very clear that if our decision is to bring him back here, he will return.

Period. Word to your Mother

"Last time I checked, we're the ones that have the contract. Ok!

"So the decision as to where David's going to play this year is as much ours as anyone's.

Questons!

"If David comes back, it will be because there were decisions made by all involved and he'll accept that.

"I don't think he'll be as disgruntled as the media makes it out to be."






Hmmm. I reckon he will

[Joe King]

If they offer the MLS and Galaxy loads of money, he will stay at Milan. The figure banded around was £5m, I think they will want a heck load more.

[Chris]

Wow, that forward line is embarassing. Awful when you consider it was once the likes of Shearer, Owen, Sheringham, Fowler, Andy Cole to choose from.

[Kenneth]

Forwards: Agbonlahor (Villa), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Portsmouth), Heskey (Villa).

[the rev leeroy brown]

that forward line's actually quite good.

agbonlahor is a player i would happily take at the pool. i was really hoping heskey would re-sign for us as well. crouch is a player who many on here and many fans in the streets didn't want to leave and carlton cole is the most inform english striker at the moment.

you english need to realise that there isn't an abundance of world beaters out there to choose from.

[Chris]

you english need to realise that there isn't an abundance of world beaters out there to choose from.

Err isnt that the point? Hence people taking the piss out of the forward line, overall its pretty mediocre.

[Winstonio]

Haha im sure the likes of Ramos, Puyol and co are brikin it over that front line.

Good to see Jagielka get recognised for some good form. Carlton cole though, thats just taking the piss

[ELNINO 9]

its a poor england team all round

[MrsB]

Aston Villa defender Luke Young has been ruled out of England's friendly in Seville against Spain on Wednesday.

Young, 29, left the camp on Monday after picking up a toe injury and he has returned to the Midlands instead of flying out with the rest of the squad.

Emile Heskey did not train on Monday due to an ankle injury, but the striker is expected to take part on Tuesday.

Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips was the only other player to miss training, but he will travel too.

England were not due to leave their Watford base until Tuesday but, having assessed the forecast for poor weather over the next 24 hours, Capello decided to bring departure forward. … BBC Sport

[Matt]

Why's it kicking off at 9pm? Do Spanish games usually kick off at 10pm local time.

[Reece]

Is it? FFS.

[Matt]

That's what it says in the article.