Beckham returns to England line-up

LONDON, England -- David Beckham has returned to the England side after a four-game absence for Friday's friendly international with Austria in Vienna.

The LA Galaxy midfielder last appeared for his country in the friendly with Germany in August but has missed the previous four Euro 2008 qualifiers with a knee injury.

Beckham has been chosen by England coach Steve McClaren despite his recent lack of match action and will earn his 98th cap against Austria.

McLaren has awarded a first cap to goalkeeper Scott Carson, who is on loan at Aston Villa this season from Liverpool.

Carson has created a favorable impression with Martin O'Neill's side and has been preferred to regular goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

But there is disappointment for Carson's Villa team-mate Gareth Barry despite his encouraging displays in the recent double header with Russia and the home clash with Estonia.

The Villa skipper has made way for Frank Lampard, who is also back in the starting line-up for the first time since the Germany game.

In total, McClaren has made five changes from the side beaten 2-1 by Russia in Moscow.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, the injured Wayne Rooney, the suspended Rio Ferdinand, Barry and Robinson are missing from that line-up with Carson, Wayne Bridge, Beckham, Lampard and Peter Crouch all restored.

Bridge is tasting his first action since the 3-0 away win over Estonia in June -- also the last game in which Crouch was in the side.

Joleon Lescott is awarded his third cap -- but a first start in his preferred central defensive role. The Everton player had looked ill at ease when filling in at left-back in the defeat against the Russians last month.

England team:

Carson (Villa), Richards (Man City), Lescott (Everton), Campbell (Portsmouth), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool - captain), Lampard (Chelsea), J Cole (Chelsea), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool) E-mail to a friend