Beckham in frame for England start

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The 32-year-old former captain was recalled to Steve McClaren's squad on Saturday and after helping Real Madrid defeat Deportivo La Coruna to keep them on course for the Primera Liga title, he jetted back home to meet up with the national squad ahead of Friday's friendly against Brazil.

And in Monday's training session at London Colney, McClaren also hinted at starting Beckham by lining him up in midfield with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole during a 10-a-side drill.

It was 331 days since Beckham last wore the Three Lions. Plenty has happened since Beckham limped out of England's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal in Germany, the start of the drama coming when he stood down as captain and was then dropped by McClaren.

He signed a pre-contract with Los Angeles Galaxy and has inspired Madrid's La Liga challenge, all while England have toiled in his absence during their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

A five-match winless streak in all competitions saw fans abuse McClaren, vitriol which was reportedly then aimed towards the non-playing squad members in Barcelona when the run ended with an unconvincing victory over Andorra.

It has put pressure on McClaren ahead of the qualifier in Estonia on June 6. There is the matter of the first England match at the new Wembley, a friendly against Brazil on Friday, before then.

With England fourth in Group E, McClaren wanted Beckham's experience and his formation, albeit in a practice drill, suggests Beckham could feature from the start.

Defenders Rio Ferdinand, Michael Dawson and Ledley King did not take part in the training session and were warming down at the team hotel, while Wayne Bridge was at London Colney but was jogging with a backroom-staff member.

Scott Carson has been on Under-21 duty and will join the squad later.