David Beckham will learn this morning whether he has earned a recall to the England squad.
Fabio Capello omitted the 99-cap midfielder from his first squad but has been strongly considering choosing him for the game with France in Paris next week.
Capello will name his provisional squad before lunch today and both Beckham and Theo Walcott have been tipped for inclusion.
Beckham has declared his fitness after coming through several pre-season friendlies with Los Angeles Galaxy, and Capello sent out his number two Franco Baldini to assess the 32-year-old midfielder last week.
But Beckham only wants to win his 100th cap if he is in the side "on his merits", according to LA Galaxy general manager and president Alexi Lalas.
The former USA defender told Sky Sports News: "He wants to contribute. If you're going to come in and play against a team like France, you need all guns blazing so he wants to be called in on his merits."
Meanwhile, Walcott's recent displays for Arsenal have caught Capello's eye and it may be no coincidence that the Gunners star, who has just turned 19, was one of those "rested" from the England Under-21 squad.
Chelsea pair Frank Lampard and John Terry are certain to return to the England squad of 30, and there are spaces to fill among the defenders with Curtis Davies, Matthew Upson and Micah Richards - named in Capello's first squad in January - all missing due to injuries.
If Lampard and Beckham are to come in, then Stewart Downing and Michael Carrick could find their places in jeopardy, with Walcott possibly replacing Emile Heskey in attack.
Peter Crouch cannot be sitting comfortably either given that the Liverpool striker has played so few minutes for Liverpool recently.
Terry's return will also open up the question of who will be captain in Paris next week. Steven Gerrard had the armband against Switzerland and has expressed his desire to stay as skipper but Capello has insisted he will share the captaincy around before settling on a final choice before England's World Cup qualification campaign opens.
Hardly surprisingly, both Lampard and Chelsea boss Avram Grant have been singing Terry's praises.
Grant said: "I think England needs him more than he needs England. Of course he wants to play for England but they won't find a captain like him any day."
The goalkeeper choices are more straightforward as with Manchester City's Joe Hart named in the under-21s, David James, Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland can all expect the nod.
James has been in sparkling form - especially at those matches when Capello has been watching in person - and can expect to start between the posts against France next week.
Manchester City defender Richards, whose recovery from knee surgery will come just too late, believes James is the best choice.
He said on his column on BBC Sport online: "He is one of the best 'keepers in the world. He is so big, strong and athletic. He has been error-prone before but he has really brushed up on that now. His all-round game is fantastic.
"I have known him since I was a kid at Manchester City and, when you play with somebody, you appreciate how good they are.
"The only question mark over him is whether he will still be the best when the 2010 World Cup finals come around, when he will be almost 40.
"And, if we are looking for a team for the future, then this is when you have to try out new players.
"But he is somebody for the younger 'keepers to learn from - he has been there and done it and learned from his mistakes - and, at present, I would pick him all day."
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