Beckham axed by McClaren

New England boss names first squad

Venables returns to Three Lions fold

—– Having already relinquished the captaincy, David Beckham’s England career appears to be over after he is left out of the first squad selected by Steve McClaren.
Although the new coach insists the door is still open, it seems likely that Beckham’s caps tally will stall at 94: “He was a fantastic captain for England, a great player, and still is a great player. He took the news very well, although he was disappointed.
“I got the reaction I wanted, and the reaction was he would continue to fight for his place, and I will never close the door on that.”
In a statement, the Real Madrid star accepts the decision graciously: “Having spoken to Steve McClaren this week I can fully understand that a new manager should want to make his mark on the team and build towards the next World Cup.
“I’m proud to have played for England for ten years and my passion for representing my country remains as strong as ever.”
McClaren’s decision dispels the media theory that Martin O’Neill’s chances of being appointed England coach when he allegedly refused to confirm that he would have selected Beckham in his squad.

—– For the friendly with Greece at Old Trafford next week, West Ham United forward Dean Ashton receives his first call-up to an England squad along with Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson and Manchester United’s Ben Foster.
Luke Young, Kieran Richardson, Darren Bent, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermain Defoe, Phil Neville, Wes Brown and Chris Kirkland are all recalled.
Along with the rested Wayne Rooney, Sol Campbell and David James are the other members of the World Cup squad have also been left out.
Steve McClaren’s first England squad is:
GOALKEEPERS
PAUL ROBINSON (Tottenham Hotspur) age 26, caps 26
CHRIS KIRKLAND (Liverpool) age 25, caps 0
BEN FOSTER (Manchester United) age 23, caps 0
DEFENDERS
WAYNE BRIDGE (Chelsea) age 26, caps 23
JAMIE CARRAGHER (Liverpool) age 28, caps 29
WES BROWN (Manchester United) age 26, caps 9
ASHLEY COLE (Arsenal) age 25, caps 51
MICHAEL DAWSON (Tottenham Hotspur) age 22, caps 0
RIO FERDINAND (Manchester United) age 27, caps 52
GARY NEVILLE (Manchester United) age 31, caps 81
PHIL NEVILLE (Everton) age 29, caps 52
JOHN TERRY (Chelsea) age 25, caps 29
LUKE YOUNG (Charlton Athletic) age 27, caps 7
MIDFIELD
OWEN HARGREAVES (Bayern Munich) age 25, caps 34
STEWART DOWNING (Middlesbrough) age 22, caps 5
STEVEN GERRARD (Liverpool) age 26, caps 47
JERMAINE JENAS (Tottenham Hotspur) age 23, caps 15
FRANK LAMPARD (Chelsea) age 28, caps 45
AARON LENNON (Tottenham Hotspur) age 19, caps 4
KIERAN RICHARDSON (Manchester United) age 21, caps 4
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS (Chelsea) age 24, caps 8
FORWARDS
DEAN ASHTON (West Ham United) age 22, caps 0
DARREN BENT (Charlton Athletic) age 22, caps 1
PETER CROUCH (Liverpool) age 25, caps 11
JERMAIN DEFOE (Tottenham Hotspur) age 23, caps 16

—– As expected, Terry Venables is confirmed as Steve McClaren’s assistant.
The 63 year-old was England’s coach between 1994 and 1996 and led the team to the semi-finals of Euro ‘96: “I feel wonderful to be involved again. It is a great privilege. I was asked and I was very interested from the word go.”
Middlesbrough head coach Steve Round, who worked under McClaren at the Riverside, will also join the England staff on a match-by-match basis. 35 year-old Round is staying in his full-time role at Boro. He replaces Sammy Lee.
Former Middlesbrough assistant manager Bill Beswick will also join McClaren’s backroom staff as a sports psychologist.
Ray Clemence remains as goalkeeping coach.

—– In the Championship, Wolverhampton Wanderers miss the chance to go top as Preston North End win 3-1 at Molineux.