Beckham And Owen Back For England's First Game At The New Wembley

Thursday, May 31st 2007, 8:33 am

By: News On 6

WATFORD, England (AP) _ David Beckham and Michael Owen return to an England squad which is balancing a glamour friendly against Brazil at the new Wembley Stadium on Friday with a must-win qualifier at Estonia next week.

Beckham has been called up to England for the first time under coach Steve McClaren, who dumped him after last year's World Cup.

Owen has recovered from a lengthy knee injury and brings much-needed experience to an England front line missing the suspended Wayne Rooney. Midfielder Joe Cole also returns after numerous injuries.

``There's different reasons why we have been away, but we have all got the same reasons for being back,'' Owen said Thursday.

England captain John Terry said Beckham's return meant the team was ``back to normal.''

Terry became skipper after Beckham relinquished the captaincy after England lost to Portugal in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals of the World Cup on July 1.

``It's great to have him back,'' Terry said. ``He's a familiar face and we know his quality. He's brought that into training and we are looking forward to him playing.''

Beckham was seen as untouchable under McClaren's predecessor, Sven-Goran Eriksson, and his celebrity off the pitch was threatening to overshadow his form on it.

But his likely replacement, Aaron Lennon, has largely been injured for England games, and McClaren does not fully rate Shaun Wright-Phillips, David Bentley, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott.

So, after standout performances with club Real Madrid after overcoming a knee injury, Beckham is back _ but this time keeping a low profile, turning down all interview requests.

``The form he has been in has been exceptional since he came back from injury,'' Terry said. ``It could not go unnoticed and the manager has brought him back in and rightly so.''

England has only defeated Brazil three times in 21 games dating back to 1956 _ and the last win was seven games ago in 1990. Their last meeting was at the World Cup quarterfinals in Japan in 2002, when Brazil won 2-1.

Owen scored in that game, and also in a 1-1 draw at the old Wembley in 2000.

Only Owen, Beckham, defender Phil Neville and midfielder Steven Gerrard played for England at the old Wembley Stadium, which closed in October 2000, before being rebuilt and opening in March.

Brazil is using the match, and a friendly on Tuesday against Turkey in Dortmund, Germany, as warmups for the Copa America next month in Venezuela. Ronaldinho and Kaka won't be at that tournament, but are in the squad for the friendlies.

``For me, the pair of them are the best in the world and a danger to any team,'' said Robinho, who plays at Madrid with Beckham. ``I expect an open match with many goals. We have an excellent team and the magic of Brazil is better than the physical power of England.''

England also has one eye on the European Championship qualifier at Estonia on Wednesday.

England is fourth in Group E with 11 points from six games. Croatia leads the group with 13 points, followed by Israel and Russia with 11 _ and only the top two teams qualify for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland next year.

The standings will change on Saturday, when Russia hosts Andorra, Israel is at Macedonia and Croatia travels to Estonia, which has yet to earn a point.

``We'd prefer more points than what we've got, but we're by no means out,'' Owen said. ``If we get the first goal in Estonia, we could have a good night, but if we don't it could be another nervous one.''

England has not impressed fans in its last two games _ a 3-0 win over Andorra and a 0-0 draw with Israel in European qualifying. And that's put McClaren's job at risk.

``Is there pressure on Steve? I don't sense that,'' Terry said. ``He has been very relaxed, training has been good and sharp, and what the manager demands, he gets.

``Will there be a question mark over him if England lose? Possibly. But we are not thinking like that. We are thinking positively. We need to go there and get a win. It is as simple as that.''