Beckham needs one more appearance for the Three Lions to match Bobby Moore's best mark for an outfield player and coach Fabio Capello has decided the 33-year-old's form at AC Milan warrants an instant recall after he was omitted for the win over Germany in Berlin last November.

AC Milan are trying to extend Beckham's stay at the San Siro, although they are meeting resistance from LA Galaxy, who want the former Three Lions skipper to honour his lucrative contract and remain in Major League Soccer.

However, it is clear Capello views Beckham as a key member of the squad he is putting together for the World Cup in South Africa next year, so the former Manchester United man needs to be playing regularly on the biggest stage.

Whether Beckham makes the 17 further appearances that would allow him to move level with Peter Shilton as the most capped England player of all depends largely on how Capello can guide his side over the next 18 months.

However, as long as the opportunity is there, Beckham will be determined to take it.

For Carlton Cole and James Milner, the aim at this stage should be merely to impress Capello in training next week.

Cole will have the opportunity to shine in front of Capello at Upton Park tomorrow when his West Ham side entertains title favourites Manchester United.

The 25-year-old has scored six times in the Hammers' eight-match unbeaten run and is finally starting to fulfil the promise he first showed at Chelsea.

Milner would have been thinking about an amazing 41st Under-21 appearance when he was selected in Stuart Pearce's squad to face Ecuador on Tuesday.

However, having highlighted Milner as a player of immense potential before Christmas, Capello has now elevated the Aston Villa midfielder to the senior squad for the first time.

Milner is one of six Villa players in the 23-man party that will tackle the Euro 2008 winners, with Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor set to be partnered in attack.

With Theo Walcott, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole injured, Capello was lacking some of his first-choice side anyway, so the decision to leave Wayne Rooney in Manchester is a sensible one, even though Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to name the Merseysider on the United bench tomorrow.

Capello made his decision on Rooney before Ferguson got in touch with him to discuss the 23-year-old's fitness yesterday, which at least means the club versus country row that so often erupts around United should be avoided in the future.

The lack of recent match practice for both Wes Brown and Gary Neville has counted against them, so Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand, who is expected to partner John Terry in defence for the first time since September, are the Red Devils' sole representation.

Phil Jagielka has been given the opportunity to add to his solitary appearance as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago last June, recognition of his fine performances for Everton, although central defensive partner Joleon Lescott is not included.

Ashley Cole is also back for the first time since the World Cup qualifying win over Kazakhstan in October, while Joe Hart retains his place among a three-man group of goalkeepers despite losing his Manchester City spot to Shay Given.