Beckham in England squad for 100th cap

Beckham likely to get his 100th cap as Capello names him in squad

David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for next week's friendly against France in Paris, giving the midfielder the possibility of winning his 100th cap.

Fabio Capello, the England Manager 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."

Beckham was watched by Capello's assistant Franco Baldini in a friendly for his club, LA Galaxy, in Dallas at the weekend and obviously did enough to convince the Italians that he is fit enough to win his 100th cap against France.

Capello, who managed Beckham at Real Madrid, left the 32-year-old midfielder out of his squad to face Switzerland but made it clear at the time that he was willing to extend his international career.

FootyFocus thinks it will be a very well deserved accolade for someone who has been a great English servant!

Liverpool: Agger to return vs Middlesbrough

Daniel Agger is at last set to feature for Liverpool against Middlesbrough

Daniel Agger is set to feature in some part today for Liverpool, most probably on the bench. Despite Liverpool having defensive a major defensive problem, with Jamie Carragher suspended and Martin Skrtel are reluctant to risk Agger. Most likely Arbeloa and Hyppia will be the central defensive pairing.

Up front it's likely Liverpool's strike pairing will be Kuyt and Torres, despite every football fan in the country thinking Crouch would make a better partner and score more goals! In midfield its also coming to crunch time for Rafael Benitez. Will he bite the bullet and put Alonso back in and Steven Gerrard wide right? Surely Liverpool's top three midfielders are Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano?

For the trip down to Liverpool, Middlesbrough have David Wheater back from a ban, while late checks will be made on Roberth Huth and Tuncay Sanli. Huth missed the FA Cup tie at Sheffield United with a foot injury and Tuncay is training again after hamstring trouble.

And so the spotlight turns to England.............

Dont know about you but I personally find England a total bore unless they are playing in the finals of a major competition. They invariably play beneath their talents against tedious opposition, often underwhelming their way to the finals. Remember Bobby Robson being shown live on telly as the Swedes did us a favour and got us to the Euro finals (where we promptly got walloped).

McLarens England have really not looked the part. From his late realisation that Gerrard and Lampard are a match made in football mismatch hell, to his continued sticking with the error strewn Robinson McLaren has struggled to give real confidence at any time in his reign. Now relying on the Israelis to do something against Russia at home and when they are without their best player and captain in Yossi Benayoun the sands of time could well be running out on his time in the hot seat.

Failure to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1994 would be a major setback for England and would lead to a boring summer 2008. No nights in the packed pub getting a lager shower while 'Vindaloo' and 'World in motion' is banged out! Come on England and Israel I dont want to miss those balmy weeknights in the boozer!!!

The Wheels coming off Rafa's Train?

After last nights lamentable display Rafa Benitez sounded like he's beginning to reach the time when everyone in the world except the manager can see whats wrong with the team. His continuing refrain of 'we were in control and had more shots than the opposition' sounds alarmingly like the last days of Gerard Houlliers reign. How many times did GH refer to stats to back up something no one else could see. Granted that this squad is packed with a lot more talent than that of 2003 and 2004 but Rafa just cant get the balance right. More worrying, he is adamant that he is sticking to his rotation policy but neglects to notice that only when he settled the side in 2005/06 did the results come (remember the midfield of Kewell, Alonso, Sissoko and Gerrard).

Looking at last nights and recent displays its obvious the attack is blunt without Torres. Play any of Kuyt, Voronin and Crouch together and you have no pace, little mobility and no unpredictability. Not many worried when Luis Garcia went but his quick fit and trickery would make some difference to the attack. Also if Torres is not playing why not play Pennant or Babel to at least give some pace and trickery. Babel will have to be put up front sooner rather than later (as soon as Kewell is fit) as he clearly is not suited out wide and is need to give us much needed pace up.

If Rafa doesn't act decisively, reshape his side and dump some of the under performers the wheels will be off the wagon big time. Lose to Arsenal and its a nine point gap by the end of October - this time last year the Reds were eleven points off the top.