[ENGLAND] There was good news and bad news for David Beckham following England's 5-1 win over Croatia that qualified it for the 2010 World Cup. The strong play of Tottenham's Aaron Lennon on the right side of midfield relegated him to the bench, but Coach Fabio Capello expressed confidence that the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder would be in England's 23-player squad for South Africa.

"He is always with us because for me he is one of the most important players," Capello said Thursday. "He is good in the group. He is good in every moment during the training. Some players are important for the position and morale of the group."

A ticket to South Africa is conditional, of course, on the 34-year-old Beckham being healthy and in shape.

There are reports that a deal is imminent for Beckham to return on loan to AC Milan in January 2010.

Beckham and Lennon are only two of the players fighting for the starting job on the right side of midfield.

Capello likes James Milner, who came on late in Wednesday's game against Croatia.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott can play on the wing or in attack.

The odd man out in the England squad might be Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips.