And the brand played on. David Beckham’s recall is the headline-grabber in Fabio Capello’s second England squad, which is generally little altered from the 30-man provisional list ahead of last month’s game against Switzerland.

It is hard to believe that Capello, unsentimental though he is, would call Beckham across from California and not play him, so it looks like the midfield player will win his 100th cap in the Stade de France next Wednesday.

It seems clear now that the reason the coach gave for Beckham’s exclusion last time – not fit enough – was not a convenient excuse helping Capello to end Beckham’s career with minimum controversy. He has his chance after all – and with Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Bentley also in the squad, Beckham had better take it if it is not to be a short-lived reunion between the Three Lions and world football’s most famous name.

Had Beckham been picked to face Switzerland, Capello’s first match - a time to look forward - would have been coated in nostalgia, a celebration of the Beckham century. A cameo at Wembley would have seemed the perfect way to bring down the curtain on his international career. Now, the onus will be firmly on the future. Against a top side, away from home, there is no time to wallow in the former captain’s three-figure achievement.

The 32-year-old will have to prove he is worthy of inclusion in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers by putting in a strong performance, though it will not quell the doubts. When England start their bid for 2010 in the autumn, Beckham will be finishing his Major League Soccer season. Questions of fatigue and excess travelling will be present as long as he is, but a fully-fit Beckham surely deserves the opportunity to show that he should be 100 not out.

With Stuart Pearce’s England under-21s looking so impressive, it is no surprise that Capello has plundered the junior ranks. Only last month, Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, admitted that there was much room for improvement in Theo Walcott's game. Peaks and troughs are to be expected in a young forward’s career and Walcott’s form has lifted lately. The old adage that pace never has an off day rings true, which means that Capello spies potential in Walcott as an impact substitute and there is value in a tyro whose presence can scare opponents, whether he is performing consistently or not.

As expected, Gabriel Agbonlahor is included after withdrawing from the previous squad with a hamstring problem. His fellow Aston Villa forward, Ashley Young, also brings pace to the attack. David Wheater, of Middlesbrough, is a beneficiary of defensive vacancies caused by the absence of Curtis Davies and Micah Richards, named by Capello in January, all injured now.

Frank Lampard and John Terry, also forced to sit out the Switzerland match, are back, of course, with the question of whether Terry will wrestle the captain’s armband from Steven Gerrard a live issue. And whenever there is Lampard and Gerrard in an England squad, there is debate on their compatibility. It will be fascinating to see Capello’s approach. Michael Owen, meanwhile, is present despite whispers that he was in peril of paying the price for Newcastle United’s miserable winless run. Jermain Defoe is also in, back now that he is starting regularly with Portsmouth.

Capello will want to see his players applying his tactical instructions more reliably in Paris than they did at Wembley. The performance against Switzerland – in truth a poor team - was fitful. There were moments of promise, but it was far from fluent. Since the players will have to adapt to Capello’s tactics, not vice versa, the Italian will look for men who can swiftly and consistently do his bidding against one of the best sides in the world.

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