Squad Notes for Tuesday

1) Wayne Rooney to start and Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard to sit?

My take: If Rooney’s fit, then he’s fit. And why not give the boys with the cautions a rest?

2) Theo Walcott to have a run?

My take: Well, it’s become something of a friendly, at least from England’s perspective. It might actually be time to give the lad a trial.

3) At least one observer thinks it’s time for David Beckham to have a seat.

There’s a case to be made here, BUT: he can change the match with one set-piece or cross, as he has done against Hungary, Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago in recent weeks. As much as he can vanish, he’s the only fellow on the squad who can do that reliably.