England v Germany: to recall or not to recall?

Considering next Wednesday's match against Germany is a friendly, you might have expected Steve McClaren to be a bit more adventurous.

But in the wake of Becks's ostensibly 'triumphant' return against the titans of Estonia, old Steve has played it safe and gone for experience above everything.

So we have a squad with Becks in it, despite questions remaining over his fitness and, well, the level of competition he's currently facing, and we also have Messrs Campbell and James return to the squad.

This is the David James who, lest we forget, stated that 'he hadn't prepared properly' for the 4-1 drubbing England received in Denmark. This is the Sol Campbell who ran off to Belgium after a nightmare first half against West Ham.

All three, in the last season, have performed very impressively: Beckham had a triumphant last season at Madrid, while James and Campbell have enjoyed a semi-renaissance in the Arsenal retirement home that is Fratton Park.

But how long can they be relied upon? Until next summer? Even that? Shouldn't a friendly be a time to induct new blood into the team? The only vaguely new face in the squad is Steven 'I can make a handball look like an injury' Taylor.

In relying on experienced, 'proven' players - regardless of the current age and fitness - over the next generation of English players, is Steve making the same mistakes as Sven?