Beckham made vice-captain of England

England have made David Beckham vice-captain for next month's 2002 World Cup qualifiers.

Kevin Keegan's squad host Germany on October 7th in the last game to be held at the old Wembley stadium and then travel to face Finland in Helsinki on October 11th with Tottenham defender Sol Campbell absent with a dislocated shoulder.

This injury has allowed Keegan to name Manchester United star Beckham as vice-captain in Campbell's place and with the fitness record of centre back Tony Adams there is every chance that the midfielder could be playing as captain in the matches next month.

Adams returned from an ankle injury to lead Arsenal to an easy 2-0 win over SS Lazio at Highbury last night but Keegan's squad still has to survive the weekend's Premiership fixtures to be fit for duty next week.

Liverpool striker Emile Heskey is already facing a two month lay off with a hamstring injury and Robbie Fowler starts his first competitive match for a year tonight in the UEFA Cup for the Anfield club at home to Rapid Bucharest. Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise has been struggling with illness recently and West Ham's teenage star Joe Cole has been included in the senior squad for the first time despite only one match with the under-21 side and his team in last place in the Premiership.

Beckham's selection could prove controversial.

Rumours started last week that the United star could be made captain for the home game with Germany and while the draw with Chelsea passed off without incident much was made in the English press of a spitting gesture made by the player at German referee Markus Merk on a 3-1 defeat at PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

UEFA are to take no action against Beckham for the incident which was in truth exaggerated by some newspapers but the spit occurred after Beckham was booked for dissent and he kept up his abuse of match officials after the yellow card.

Earlier Beckham had added to his angry words at the referee by launching a tirade of bitter words at right back Gary Neville after a misplaced pass in Eindhoven but Keegan has kept to a long held plan to hand the volatile star more responsibility with the England team.

The media attention on Beckham will be increased even further after Keegan's move as England prepare for their first 2002 World Cup match and first competitive game since blowing a lead at Euro 2000 against Romania to be knocked out of the first round.

Left back Graeme Le Saux is recalled and Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour is back in contention after helping Arsenal to three straight Champions League wins and Keegan has named 27 players for the two match schedule because he does expect withdrawals.

The squad in full -

Goalkeepers - David Seaman (Arsenal), Nigel Martyn (Leeds United) and David James (Aston Villa).

Defenders - Tony Adams (Arsenal), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Phil Neville (Manchester United), Graeme Le Saux (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (West Ham) and Jamie Carragher (Liverpool).

Midfielders - David Beckham (Manchester United), Paul Ince (Middlesbrough), Steve McManaman (Real Madrid), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Dennis Wise (Chelsea), Nick Barmby (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Joe Cole (West Ham) and Ray Parlour (Arsenal).

Strikers - Andy Cole (Manchester United), Emile Heskey (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) and Robbie Fowler (Liverpool).