Starlet Cole in England squad

West Ham starlet Joe Cole jumps into the Lion's den after being picked for the England squad to face West Germany in the World Cup qualifier on October 7.

West Ham starlet Joe Cole jumps into the Lion's den after being picked for the England squad to face West Germany in the World Cup qualifier on October 7.

Teenager Cole joins Graeme Le Saux and Robbie Fowler, both back after injury.

Fowler could team up with his Liverpool striking partner Emile Heskey, who is also picked by manager Kevin Keegan.

David Beckham, tipped as future captain of the national team, emerged as vice captain behind veteran defender Tony Adams.

Lingering concerns about the Manchester United midfielder's maturity were swept aside by Keegan as he released the 27-man squad list.

"I definitely see him as a future England captain," Keegan said in a statement.

"I don't worry about his temperament and I wouldn't make him vice-captain if I did. He's a leader and that's what is important."

Cole, an 18-year-old midfielder has shown tremendous promise at club level over the past two seasons.

"Joe is a rare talent. He can turn a game that's tight, he can change the course of a game," Keegan said.

The squad will remain unchanged for an away match against Finland four days later.

Le Saux makes his return to the national side after a 15-month absence.

Dogged by injuries, the Chelsea defender re-emerged to prominence last week by contributing to all three goals in the Blues' surprise draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Fowler, out since last September, recently returned from injury to scored five goals in a reserve match for Liverpool.

Keegan is expected to switch to a two-striker front from the more conservative single-striker formation used last month in Paris for England's 1-1 draw against France.

The respectable result against the reigning world and European champions appeared to revitalize England after a disastrous first-round exit in this summer's Euro 2000.

But a true comeback will not be declared unless England can manage to defeat Germany for the second straight time following a winless drought of 34 years.

The full England squad is: David Seaman (Arsenal), Nigel Martyn (Leeds), David James (Aston Villa), Philip Neville (Manchester United), Graham Le Saux (Chelsea), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Tony Adams (Arsenal), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (West Ham), James Carragher (Liverpool), Paul Ince (Middlesbrough), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle), Dennis Wise (Chelsea), David Beckham (Manchester United), Nick Barmby (Liverpool), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Steve McManaman (Real Madrid), Joe Cole (West Ham), Ray Parlour (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Andy Cole (Manchester United), Kevin Phillips (Sunderland), Robbie Fowler (Liverpool), Emile Heskey (Liverpool).