He also backed David Beckham to continue as captain into the tournament despite his latest sending off for Real Madrid at the weekend.

"We have many players who could be the captain in the team and that is very good. It is important they act as captain but Beckham will be the captain," he told Sky Sports. "It does not matter if he wears an armband. Everyone wants to be captain but I can't see any reason why I should change."

BROOKING TIPS CROUCH FOR WORLD CUP 

The end of Peter Crouch's goal drought is also a World Cup boost for England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, according to Sir Trevor Brooking. Brooking, who is the Football Association's director of football development, was delighted to see the 24-year-old net his first goal for Liverpool since a £7million summer switch from Southampton.

The 6ft 7in front man, who has been capped four times so far by Eriksson, notched the second in his side's 3-0 Anfield stroll over Wigan, and is also claiming a heavily-deflected opener that has been attributed to goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.

Brooking was certain that Crouch had taken a big step towards inclusion in the England squad for the World Cup finals by ridding himself of that unwanted record.

He said: "I am pleased for Crouchy as he is a lovely lad. You saw the reaction from the Liverpool players let alone the fans when he scored. He was very chuffed I am sure but he could score six goals in the next three games and still be the same player he was before.

"All strikers have to score goals but he was contributing to the team. Sven has been very supportive and we are hoping he can continue that goalscoring run. He will be figuring as a strong contender for the squad I am sure."

Brooking was speaking at Wembley Stadium, where he took part in a ceremony to mark the burial of a time-capsule under the half-constructed ground's centre circle. The time-capsule contained a number of items related to Wembley and its past as well as the year 2005 and ranged from a DVD of the 1966 World Cup final to a Madonna album.

The former West Ham midfielder was confident the project would be completed in time to host the FA Cup final, although he conceded it would be tight.

He said: "I am sure it will be a photo-finish but if we get days where the weather is perfect the contractors can push ahead with that date so fingers crossed it will happen in May. It is getting very exciting. It is about three months since I last came here and it has moved on such a lot now, with the roof in particular.

"As an ex-player you get a tingle waiting for that first game. We would all love to be one of those who will play in that because it is going to be special."

INJURIES FORCE ARAGONES RETHINK 

Spain coach Luis Aragones has been handed a double injury blow to his World Cup preparation plans. The knee injury suffered by Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez on Friday looks as if it is going to rob Aragones of his main creative midfielder.

Xavi damaged ligaments training on Friday and will need an operation that will keep him out of action for at least six months. That means it will be difficult for him to recover in time to go to the World Cup.

The 25-year-old has already won 33 international caps and his injury comes less than two weeks after Spain captain Raul damaged his knee in the Real Madrid - Barcelona game on November 19.

Estimates Raul's recovery time vary from between three and six months, depending on whether or not he needs surgery, and he may or may not be fit to lead his country in Germany.

"They are two important players, they are fixtures in the team and I want them both to be there," Aragones told Marca. The Spain coach is trying to remain hopeful there is time for the pair to make a recovery.

"I would rather wait until Xavi has his operation and then we can see exactly what the doctors say. If it is six months out, it is a long time, but you never know. They are two very important players and i prefer to remain optimistic," said Aragones.

"I would rather not think about a World Cup without the pair, they are hard players to replace. Now all we can do is see if they are able to recover. I wish them the best," he added.

Aragones will try out some new faces in the run in to the World Cup finals with Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, who have both been regulars with Spain's Under-21 side, both likely to be given their chance to impress.

DUDEK'S ANFIELD FUTURE IN DOUBT 

Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has reportedly told manager Rafael Benitez he is unwilling to act as understudy to Jose Reina with the World Cup approaching. The Polish international was a Champions League final hero in May but has been relegated to second-choice at Anfield this season following Reina's arrival from Villarreal.

Dudek admits he is now in "a tough situation", and should he insist on first-team football, that could mean a move away from Anfield in the January transfer market, four and a half years after joining from Feyenoord.

He says in Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza how manager Rafael Benitez advised him Reina would remain first choice barring injury or a dramatic dip in the Spain international's form.

"I told him that solution does not interest me," said Dudek. "I don't want to be counting on an injury to a colleague and he places me in a tough situation. I played most of Poland's matches in qualifying for the World Cup but if I don't play for my club I could wind up not going to the finals. For me this would be a disaster."

Dudek has yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool this season, and has already lost his automatic place in the Poland team - that being taken by Celtic's Artur Boruc.

It marks a dramatic turnaround for Dudek whose saves in open play and in the penalty shoot-out helped Liverpool beat AC Milan to become European champions. Portuguese club Benfica, coached by Ronald Koeman, have been linked with a January move for the 32-year-old.