Rio Ferdinand, endorsed by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will lead the running. Chelsea center-back John Terry, leader of choice under Steve McClaren, is out of the squad because of injury.

David Beckham (R) and his son Brooklyn (2nd R) attend the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium in London January 12, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

   Beckham had been training with Arsenal recently to maintain his fitness, and said on Tuesday that he "is as fit as I can be. I'm ready to be selected".

    England 30-man squad:

    Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

    Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Curtis Davies (West Brom on loan at Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

    Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole(Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

    Forwards: Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)