David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for the final Euro 2008 qualifying match against Croatia.
But England skipper John Terry will miss the game and the friendly against Austria five days earlier through injury.
Manager Steve McClaren had hoped the 26-year-old defender would have recovered from the knee injury he sustained in training but has been forced to admit defeat.
McClaren now faces a defensive crisis with his other first choice central defender Rio Ferdinand suspended for the game at Wembley next weekend.
There was better news for the England boss when Chelsea's Ashley Cole and Manchester City's Micah Richards were declared fit to be selected after ankle and knee injuries respectively.
But there was no place for Jonathan Woodgate of Middlesbrough as Everton's Joleon Lescott kept his place.
Beckham (32) has recovered from an ankle injury and could win his 98th international cap in the friendly in Austria next Friday evening as McClaren finalises his preparations for the clash with the Croatians.
The former Boro manager travelled to the United States last weekend to talk to the LA Galaxy mid-fielder and has been able to include him in his squad for the first time since the 2-1 friendly defeat by Germany at Wembley in August.
McClaren also denied that Beckham's return was due more to his approaching 100 caps = he currently has 97 - than form.
"David Beckham is an important player for England, always has been, and he will be again," he said.
Asked if the recall was down to sentiment, he added: "Absolutely not. It wasn't sentiment when we brought him back in the summer."
McClaren defended England's recent form and insisted that, despite last month's crushing defeat in Moscow, they are heading in the right direction.
"Recent performances have been fantastic, they are playing as a team with great attitude and confidence," he said.
"We are really making progress and the disappointment was probably the first six months (of qualifying).
"When I look at the Macedonia result (0-0 at home) that's two points we dropped and could have left the group in our hands.
"The Israel and Russia games at Wembley (in September) — that's how England should be playing. We weren't doing that at the beginning of the campaign.
"It's still not over. I believe these are the players who can achieve things in future."
England squadfor the friendly against Austria on Friday, November 16 and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday, November 21: Robinson (Tottenham), James (Portsmouth), Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Aston Villa); Richards (Man City), P Neville (Everton), Brown (Man Utd), Campbell (Portsmouth), Lescott (Everton), A Cole (Chelsea), Bridge (Chelsea), Shorey (Reading); Beckham (LA Galaxy), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Bentley (Blackburn), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Aston Villa), J Cole (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Young (Aston Villa); Owen (Newcastle), Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Liverpool), Smith (Newcastle), Defoe (Tottenham).
