SEVILLE (Spain), Feb 11: David Beckham can equal a national record for appearances Wednesday when England plays European champion Spain in what will be Fabio Capello’s toughest test during an impressive start as England coach.

Beckham can equal Bobby Moore’s mark of 108 appearances for England, the most by an outfield player and second only to Peter Shilton’s 125 appearances in goal.

“I have to choose the best 11 and David Beckham is here because he is playing well with AC Milan and perhaps tomorrow he play, but I’m not sure at this point,” Capello said. “David Beckham is important for the group at this moment.”

Capello has recalled Beckham to the squad after the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder moved to Milan to keep alive his chances of playing in the 2010 World Cup. Beckham is looking to turn his loan deal into a permanent move, something that Capello has supported.

Capello labelled the match an “important test.” England is off to the best start under a coach since Alf Ramsey, who led England to victory at the 1966 World Cup, with eight wins in 10 games and a single defeat.

“After we won against Germany, the vice champion of Europe, and now (playing) against Spain, it would be very important to know the value of our team against a different style of players,” said Capello, who promised to rotate his players.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque puts Capello’s successful reconstruction of England down to defense, discipline and an emerging crop of players.

“There is a new generation of young English players that are very talented and will be very good, are very good,” Del Bosque said. “But their injuries are still important injuries.”

Regulars Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe as well as defender Luke Young are out, while striker Emile Heskey is a game-time decision. Heskey is among six players from Aston Villa, including midfielder James Milner. Striker Carlton Cole of West Ham could also make a debut.

Capello said it was important to recover “the spirit of the group,” which will have defender Ashley Cole returning and John Terry and Rio Ferdinand available to anchor the defense for the first time since a World Cup qualifying win at Croatia last year.

“Some players play very well with the club but not with the same confidence with the national team,” Capello said. “We need to play more games with more confidence with us. I want to see players without fear and with confidence.”

Spain, the top-ranked country in FIFA’s poll, is on a 28-match unbeaten run dating to November 2006. Del Bosque has won six straight since replacing Luis Aragones, while Spain has taken 18 straight when figuring in an extra-time penalty victory over Italy at last year’s European Championship.—AP