Beckham recalled for friendly

London, March 20:

David Beckham was recalled by England on Thursday and could make his 100th international appearance in next week’s friendly at France.

Beckham was overlooked for coach Fabio Capello’s debut win over Switzerland last month because he wasn’t playing during Major League Soccer’s offseason. But he returned to action for the Los Angeles Galaxy in last week’s preseason friendly against FC Dallas and was named in a 30-man provisional squad.

Even though the squad will be trimmed to 23 after the weekend, 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 that match, but recalled John Terry and Frank Lampard, and drafted in David Wheater for the first time.

Beckham is desperate to become just the fifth player to reach a century of England appearances, 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 having made crucial interventions as a substitute for Arsenal this season.