May 12, 2002

LONDON, May 12 (AFP) -- Key players for Group F contenders England at World Cup:

DAVID BECKHAM
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester United
Arguably the best crosser of a ball in the world, Beckham is a tireless worker and a dead-ball specialist.
Born in east London, he joined Manchester United as a trainee in 1993 and made his debut in the 1994/95 season.
He became a regular in the United team the following season, playing 33 games as they won a league and FA Cup double.
He made his England debut in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova in 1997 before establishing himself as an international.
But his popularity vanished overnight after he was sent off in a quarter-final during the 1998 World Cup in France for kicking out at Argentinian midfielder Diego Simeone.
Since then has benefited enormously from being given the captaincy, and set a fine example to his colleagues with a string of superb performances in England's qualifying campaign.
Married to former 'Spice Girl' Victoria, Beckham shows amazing dexterity in juggling his career as a professional footballer with a showbiz lifestyle that means he is rarely out of the media.

MICHAEL OWEN
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Club: Liverpool
The star of Liverpool's 1996 FA youth cup triumph, Owen emerged as England's most precocious young talent when he made his international debut in February 1998 at the age of 18.
He was catapulted into the spotlight after scoring a magnificent solo goal at France '98 against Argentina, but has since been plagued by hamstring injuries and unable to find consistency at either club or international level.
However, when fit he is a handful for any defender with his quick turn of pace and lethal right foot.
He played a massive part in rescuing England's World Cup qualifying campaign, netting a hat-trick against Germany in the 5-1 win in Munich, goals which helped earn him the European Footballer of the Year crown.
But he was guilty of missing several gilt-edged chances for Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayer Leverkusen, and once again questions were raised over his fitness.
Owen was handed the England captaincy in April after regular skipper David Beckham broke a bone in his foot while on Champions League duty.

STEVEN GERRARD
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Club: Liverpool
Another product of Liverpool's youth academy, Gerrard is arguably one of the brightest young talents in the English game.
A versatile player, he can play on the left, on the right or in the centre of midfield and can also be employed as a defender.
Gerrard's early performances in Liverpool's first team brought him to the attention of then England boss Kevin Keegan, who gave him an international call-up for Euro 2000.
His mature performance in the 1-0 win against Germany in that tournament confirmed to a worldwide audience the youngster's huge potential.
Tough-tackling and with great passing vision, Gerrard also has the knack of scoring important goals for club and country.
His first goal for England came in Munich in September 2001 with a magnificent strike from 25 yards during their 5-1 win over Germany.