updated 2:22 p.m. ET May 26, 2007

LONDON - David Beckham’s quality performances for Real Madrid have forced England coach Steve McClaren to recall him. Now the former World Cup captain hopes he won’t be left on the bench.

Beckham, who will move to the MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy next month, was selected in England’s 26-man squad Saturday for the first time since last year’s World Cup in Germany.

After being overlooked for England’s last nine games, Beckham could play in the exhibition with Brazil at Wembley on June 1 and a 2008 European Championship qualifier at Estonia five days later.

“We’ve got a very big game in Estonia coming up that we have to win and I’ve got to pick a squad capable of doing that,” England coach Steve McClaren said. “That’s why I’ve picked David.

“Since Christmas his form has been very good, I think he can help us win in Estonia and that’s why I picked him. I feel at this moment, that for the Estonia game, we need experience and David certainly provides that. He is in very, very good form. The team needs that.”

That suggests Beckham will go straight into the starting lineup for the Group E game, which England needs to win to stay in touch with Croatia, Israel and Russia in the race to the 2008 European Championships. Only two teams qualify from each group.

McClaren’s other option for the right-wing position is Aaron Lennon. The 20-year-old Tottenham star went off after only 10 minutes of Friday’s England “B” victory over Albania with a twisted knee, but has made the squad.

Since McClaren took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup, he said he wanted younger stars rather than established players such as Beckham, who is chasing his 95th appearance for England. If Lennon is fit, he is likely to play and Beckham could end up watching the matches from the bench.

McClaren also stressed John Terry would be the captain, rather than Beckham, who led the team 57 times.

“David comes back as David Beckham the player, that’s what we want on the field, doing what we know he can do,” McClaren said. “There will be debate and opinion about it, but it’s my decision and a decision I think is best for England to produce a winning team that the fans can be proud of. I think David can be part of that. He’s been picked in the squad and what the team is will be apparent nearer the time.”

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The 32-year-old Beckham played the last of his 94 internationals in the World Cup quarterfinals against Portugal on July 1, watching from the sideline with an injured leg as his team lost a penalty shootout.

McClaren is without the injured Gary Neville, Micah Richards, Ashley Cole, Andrew Johnson, Owen Hargreaves and Ben Foster. Wayne Rooney is suspended against Estonia and been left out of the exhibition against Brazil.

Like Beckham, Michael Owen could make his first appearance since the World Cup.

The Newcastle striker broke down with a serious knee injury after four minutes of England’s 2-2 draw with Sweden and has only returned to play in the last three weeks. He played the full 90 minutes of Friday’s 3-1 victory over Albania.

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