JAMES VAUGHAN will be counting down the days to the Under-21 European Championships and his call-up is fully deserved. As he showed during the end to the recent season, he is a fearless competitor, who combines a tremendous work ethic with an ability to find the net. He scored four times in his last six appearances and that is a ratio with which any striker would be proud. From what I can gather, James has been in sparkling form during a pre-tournament training camp in Spain and it is no surprise that Stuart Pearce has taken the decision to pitch him in. If he gives him an opportunity in the starting line-up, he will not be let down. The way he linked up with Andrew Johnson augurs well for Everton’s future and the experience he gains from being away at an important international tournament will be invaluable. Defenders won’t get a minute’s peace when James is around. Beckham recall deserved after hitting top form ONE man’s name has dominated the headlines this week and, in all likelihood, will continue to do so until England have kicked their final ball in Estonia next Wednesday. David Beckham’s recall to the England squad has set tongues wagging but that is only down to the profile he commands. Strip the situation down to the bare bones and all you will see is a manager picking a player who is in form. Few would disagree that Beckham was out of sorts at the World Cup last summer and, while some made it out to be Steve McClaren making a statement when picking his first squad, he really had no option but to make that decision. Had it been anyone else other than Beckham, the fuss would have been minimal. Since then, though, the former captain has done the right thing and his performances for Real Madrid have been top class. He fully deserves to be back in. If a player drops below the levels that many know they are capable of, they can’t quibble if they find themselves out of the team. Likewise, when a manager deems a player to be back in form, it is churlish to say he is doing anything other than a professional job. It will, of course, be interesting to see how he fares against Brazil tonight and with Aaron Lennon injured, he seems a certainty to start in Tallinn. Things will only get interesting once Owen Hargreaves is fit and available once again. For if Beckham plays well, McClaren will be faced with a difficult decision and the one player who will be sweating most is Frank Lampard. In my opinion, using Beckham on the right and Hargreaves as a holding midfielder means only one thing – Lampard gets dropped. There is no way England will deploy Steven Gerrard as Liverpool do because that will affect how Wayne Rooney plays. Gerrard is best rampaging from the centre of midfield, not as someone floating in behind a main striker. One thing, however, is certain and that is the game against Brazil will be an occasion to remember. There could not be more fitting opponents for England’s return to Wembley and a good performance will set them up perfectly for Estonia. | 
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