Becks gets Olympic call

Team GB coach to make 35-man selection on Friday

Last Updated: June 8, 2012 10:43am 

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Stuart Pearce will name his provisional 35-man squad for the 2012 Olympics on Friday, with David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy expected to make the cut.

Having been selected to lead Team GB in London this summer, Pearce is in the process of piecing together plans for a gold medal push.
The latest stage in that process requires him to narrow his selection down to 35 names, before naming his final 18-man squad on 6th July.
There has been a huge amount of debate as to who the overage players in Pearce's squad will be - with three players over the age of 23 allowed to be included.
England pair Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard have been mentioned as potential candidates, along with Welsh duo Giggs and Bellamy.
Liverpool forward Bellamy has already announced that he will make the cut, while Manchester United stalwart Giggs is believed to be heading for a first major international tournament of his glittering career.
Beckham is also virtually guaranteed of a place in Pearce's plans due to the influential role he played in getting the Olympics to London in the first place.

Popularity

The 37-year-old's popularity remains undimmed, even though he has not played his club football in England for nine years now.
He was greeted with rapturous applause at Wembley on Saturday when given a special award for reaching 100 caps by UEFA, and it is understood that the former Manchester United midfielder will make Pearce's squad.
It is yet to be decided whether the FA will formally announce the 35-man squad.
However, it is also believed young goalkeeper Jack Butland remains in Pearce's thoughts.
Although they had previously stated no player who was selected for Euro 2012 would be involved in the Olympics, it is thought Pearce would be willing to bend the rules for Butland, who has been elevated to England's third-choice keeper.
Butland has expressed a desire to remain in Olympic contention, although club side Birmingham would have to sanction the move.