Fabio Capello said he would include a fit and match-tested David Beckham in his future England plans, starting with the Lions’ friendly against France next month, which comes three days before the start of the Major League Soccer season on March 29. Even though the Los Angeles Galaxy won’t have played an official match, Capello indicated that the club’s preseason warm-ups would be sufficient for Beckham to earn an England recall. Capello omitted the former England captain from his squad for last Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat of Switzerland, citing a lack of competitive soccer. Beckham’s last match was Dec. 1, when the Galaxy defeated Wellington Phoenix of New Zealand, 4-1. The 32-year-old has 99 caps for England.
“If [David] is fit and ready to play, then he will be part of my team,” Capello told reporters. He later criticized the media for giving the issue so much attention. “It seems that the most important thing is whether I choose David Beckham. I think we should focus on England.” Capello also hinted that Beckham wouldn’t compete with Blackburn’s David Bentley for a place in right midfield, as he was more impressed when Bentley played in the center in the second half against Switzerland. “I had seen Bentley play on the right and I wanted to see him in the middle,” Capello said. “I want to be clear where players perform best.”