Associated Press

Beckham was named in the England squad for Saturday's match against Brazil, but on the proviso that he would be spared international duty if the Galaxy beat Chivas on Sunday. The MLS Western Conference final will be played during the same weekend that England face Brazil in Qatar.

Beckham remains firmly in coach Fabio Capello's plans ahead of the World Cup next June after securing another loan stint at AC Milan from January.

Michael Owen, who made his World Cup debut with Beckham in the 1998 tournament, looks increasingly unlikely to make it to South Africa with Capello again omitting the Manchester United striker from his 24-man squad.

Sunderland forward Darren Bent, who has made just one appearance for England since the Italian coach took charge in January 2008, has been named in the squad that will travel to the Middle East.

Bent had fallen behind Carlton Cole as the backup to England's main target man, Emile Heskey. But both Heskey and Cole have been ruled out of the friendly.

Tottenham's Peter Crouch will be hoping to start up front alongside Wayne Rooney due to his haul of 16 goals in 17 England starts.

Goalkeeper David James has been dropped despite playing Saturday for Portsmouth. Capello is concerned about the 39-year-old James' knee problems which prevent him from training for two days after matches.

Manchester United center back Rio Ferdinand is also ruled out through injury and his World Cup hopes now rely on playing regularly to prove his fitness.

At left back, there is no place for Ashley Cole despite the Chelsea player completing the full match against Manchester United on Sunday.

Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock will hope to play despite Wayne Bridge also being selected at left back. Warnock's only England experience is eight minutes as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.

In the midfield, Tottenham duo Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas have been called up, with teammate Aaron Lennon and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard injured.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Birmingham), Ben Foster (Manchester United).

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Ashley Young (Aston Villa).

Strikers: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).