[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] David Beckham's bid to earn a berth on England's World Cup team has been buried amid all the other storylines surrounding the England team on the eve of Wednesday's friendlies against Egypt.

Should Ryan Shawcross be in the team following his horrendous challenge on Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey?

Who will replace Rio Ferdinand in the middle of the defense?

And what to do about left back, where Ashley Cole is out with an ankle injury and Wayne Bridge quit the national team following revelations of former England captain John Terry’s alleged affair with the mother of his child?

England coach Fabio Capello delayed the announcement of his team  for 40 minutes to confer on the impact of calling up the uncapped Shawcross. Injuries to Ferdinand and Gary Cahill meant that Shawcross was in line to play alongside Terry at Wembley on Wednesday.

The biggest hole is at left back, where Everton's Leighton Baines, Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock or perhaps Manchester City's Joleon Lescott will get a chance, though there's talk of midfielders Gareth Barry or James Milner being moved to the position.

As for Beckham, who is playing on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy was included in the team?

“He played well, he changed the style during the game,” Capello said. “He is really dangerous. He can play wide and can cross. Every cross he does is really dangerous for defenders and the keeper. [AC Milan coach] Leonardo put him in midfield because he needed players with different qualities.”

England Roster:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Birmingham).
Defenders: Wes Brown (Man. United), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Joleon Lescott (Man. City), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), Leighton Baines (Everton), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), David Beckham (AC Milan), Michael Carrick (Man. United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man. City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa).
Strikers: Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Man. United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).