Beckham not first choice . . but he's still first class

FRANK LAMPARD believes David Beckham can still have a major role to play for England after he equalled Bobby Charlton's tally of 106 caps against Kazakhstan at Wembley.

Beckham was only brought on for the final ten minutes of England's 5-1 win but still had time to set up a goal for Wayne Rooney and again highlighted his ability to cross a deadly ball into the danger area.

Lampard has been impressed with the attitude of the Los Angeles Galaxy star who at 33 may no longer be a first choice under Fabio Capello, but can still be an impact player from the bench.

The Chelsea midfielder said: "For David Beckham to equal Bobby Charlton's number of caps is fantastic. He has been tremendous for the country over so many years. To have David Beckham in the squad, whether he is starting games or not, is brilliant and the attitude he is showing when he comes on is fantastic.

"He is a great asset to the squad and, when he comes into the action, he brings the quality which you saw against Kazakhstan."

The Lampard and Steven Gerrard partnership again came under the microscope after they were reunited on Saturday in a three-man midfield alongside Gareth Barry. It was Barry who was sacrificed at half-time to allow a change of formation which saw Shaun Wright-Phillips put on the left flank and Rooney pushed into a more forward role.

But Lampard insisted the bigger picture, and England collecting a third successive win, was of more importance than the debate over whether himself and Gerrard can be effective together.

He said: "The issue of me and Steve again is not an issue. The issue is the team and the team came out winning 5-1."

The only down side for Lampard was the booing of his Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole after his mistake led to the Kazakhstan goal midway through the second half.

He said: "The booing is a negative because I think Ashley Cole is the best left-back in the world and I am fortunate enough to play every week alongside him at Chelsea. People make mistakes from football players to everyone in life. Ashley has been faultless this season and has made one mistake."

Capello, meanwhile, will wait for a fitness bulletin on John Terry before making plans for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Belarus.

The England coach recognises his team's next opponents offer a substantially increased threat to the one posed by Kazakhstan, and even they threatened to embarrass the Three Lions at times. Capello's major decision is whether to utilise Barry in a holding midfield role, as he started with on Saturday, or stick with the trusted two wide players, as he did following the half-time introduction of Wright-Phillips. Much will depend on Terry, who did some running and gym work yesterday but is still to fully test the back injury that ruled him out at the weekend.

With his team due to fly to Minsk tomorrow morning, Capello will make a final decision after training today, with the odds remaining on Terry staying at home, Matthew Upson keeping his place alongside Rio Ferdinand, and Barry adopting the holding role just in front.

"I have time to decide whether to play a holding midfielder in Belarus," said Capello. "But first we have to wait and see whether John Terry will play."

England will create a bit of history by opening a World Cup campaign with four straight wins if they are triumphant on Wednesday. Even if injury doubt Alexander Hleb does not play, though, Capello knows his side must be wary. "They are not conservative at all," he said. "They move all over, like Arsenal, and pass the ball a lot. Belarus are a very dangerous side and this game will not be easy."

At least Capello can rely on in-form Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who took his tally to five in four games for club and country on Saturday with his second-half double.

The England coach has no doubt Rooney can become one of the best strikers in the world, although he feels the 22-year-old has a few subtle lessons to learn.

"Wayne Rooney is in fantastic form at the moment," said Capello.

"He is scoring a lot of goals and his movement and pace are excellent. He runs, he comes back to win the ball. He does everything. He is an example to the other players. But it is possible for him to be better.

"I spoke with him when I first became England manager and told him technically he was very good. There are no problems with the head or feet. But when he arrives in front of the goal, sometimes he shoots too quickly.

"He has to be more patient, take things more slowly and understand what is happening around him. Then he will get more goals."

Ferdinand opened England's account after a barren first half, with Jermain Defoe wrapping up the scoring which also featured a well-taken Zhambyl Kukeyev effort for the visitors after Alexandr Kuchma's own goal had threatened to turn the contest into a stroll.