David Beckham has been recalled 重召回 to the England squad¹ for the friendly 友谊赛 with France in Paris on 26 March.

The LA Galaxy² midfielder 中场队员, 32, who has 99 caps 为国家对出场的次数, is in the squad named by coach Fabio Capello.

Beckham was omitted 排除 from Capello's first squad, for February's 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland, along with Chelsea duo 两人 John Terry and Frank Lampard, who both return after injury.

But the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was watched by Capello's assistant Franco Baldini in a friendly for LA Galaxy in Dallas and obviously did enough 足以证明 to convince the Italians over his fitness.

Capello says he knows what Beckham "can offer the team". He says this because he was Beckham's manager for his final season at Real Madrid.

Capello initially³ dropped 排除 the former England captain in Spain but Beckham fought his way back into 重新挤入 the side and was one of the most influential⁴ 具有影响力的 players in their successful title chase 冠军争夺战.

LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has no doubts about Beckham's sharpness 锐气.

Lalas says "every player wants to be called up 召回 on merit 状态". He means players want to play for their country because they are good enough, not for sentimental⁵ 感情的 reasons.

But he thinks that Beckham is still a great player and that he will help Capello with "the task at hand". He means Beckham will play a meaningful role 有意义的角色 in the effort to beat France and not just be on the pitch as a token gesture 象征性的举动.

There is a keen interest 很想知道 in who Capello will choose as his captain against France.

Liverpool midfielder Steve Gerrard wore the skipper's armband 队长的袖标 against Switzerland but John Terry, who was the captain under the previous manager Steve McClaren, was ruled out 排除 of that match because of injury.