from the Sun:

David Beckham {and his beard} will miss Englands high profile clash with Brazil if the LA Galaxy win their MLS play off next week, and that would wreck his chance of breaking Peter Shilton’s 125-cap record in South Africa next year.

Fabio Capello’s England fly to Qatar for a World Cup warm-up with favourites Brazil in Doha on November 14. But Becks will be occupied with his American club if Galaxy beat Los Angeles rivals Chivas USA in their MLS Cup play-off. (more…)

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Michael Owen should not abandon all hope of featuring in his fourth World Cup finals next summer. Although Owen did take up an invite to attend England’s victory over Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday, his chances of making Fabio Capello’s 23-men squad for South Africa appear remote. (more…)

With England already qualifying top in Group 6 for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, head coach Fabio Capello has opened up in the media about the importance of his team being able to play differing styles of football dependent on who the opponent is.

(more…)

Steven Gerrard will miss England’s World Cup qualifier against Belarus because of a groin injury. The Liverpool captain picked up the injury during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat in Ukraine and limped out of Tuesday morning’s training session. England boss Fabio Capello, who said he would name an ”experimental side”, said: ”He didn’t finish training because the pain was the same as yesterday. He’s going back to Liverpool.” (more…)

Emile Heskey has conceded he may have to leave Aston Villa in January if he is to retain his starting place for England going into the World Cup finals next summer.Heskey is in the unusual position of being a first-choice striker for Fabio Capello’s England but a substitute at club level under Martin O’Neill, starting just one game in the Premier League this season. (more…)

Grahame Jones’ LA Times piece this morning on US Soccer’s big win and qualification for the 2010 World Cup contains this interesting nugget…

(more…)

Just days after being passed over by Fabio Capello, Manchester United’s Ben Foster has gotten the recall to the English National Team for their match against Belarus on Wednesday after Robert Green was sent off early against Ukraine.

(more…)