Foden's club Northampton are the only English side through to the quarter-finals of the European Cup - thanks largely to their full-back's attacking prowess. Against Ireland last week, one player worried the opposition after coming on for the last 20 minutes. And it wasn't Armitage, who admits he expected to be dropped. If that wasn't enough, Grand Slam-chasing France have identified England's danger man ahead of Le Crunch next week - Foden.

Maybe England reckon that wearing down the Scots for an hour and then torpedoing them with their super sub is their best chance of victory. All Foden can do is play the diplomat and believe the management when they say he's getting closer.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed that I didn't get the call," he said. "I went on against Ireland and did the things that got me here and the coaches said they were pleased with my performance. In the autumn I made the mistake of venting my frustrations to the press, saying I was livid not to be selected. Johnno phoned me up and said, 'If you've got a problem, talk to us about it'.

"I've been able to do that and (attack coach) Brian Smith said selection was very close, that I'm pushing Delon and my chance will come. I just have to be ready. That's all I needed to hear because it shows they are thinking about me. Delon is a great player but if I do take to the field I will give it my best and try to run him close for the last game against France."

It would be wrong to assume Foden is getting the Danny Cipriani treatment because he too has a celebrity girlfriend - Una Healy of “The Saturdays” - and interests OK! as much as Rugby World.

Nonetheless, it is a fact that both are gifted footballers who have yet to crack it with England. One has given up trying, at least for the time being. England need to make sure the other doesn't go the same way.

Meanwhile, over on planet Beckham, Neil Custis of the Sun insists greed has cost the England man the type of legendary status that Paul Scholes will command way beyond his retirement.

The script no longer is about Beckham, in fact it is all coming to an end. In Italy they have never been sure what all the fuss is about over his two loan spells at Milan. There will be no more returns to the San Siro for a third spell - 10 games, no goals and one assist before last night tells its own story.

So instead he will return to LA Galaxy, who will stage the ignominious end. There is as much interest in American soccer in Europe as there is in European basketball in the States. So unless anyone believes he will have a significant impact in his final World Cup, that is about that.

And what will Beckham have been thinking as he sat on the bench last night staring out at Paul Scholes - still plying his trade at the top level for the club he loved. Something the central midfielder is set to do again next season.

The pair won a youth cup together back in 1992 as their United dream began. Beckham bagged six titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League in his professional career here. Scholes' sideboard continues to require reinforcing. And while just six months separates Becks, 34, and Scholes, 35, one still influences games at the very highest level, one stopped doing that a long time ago.

Scholes returns home every night to his family in Oldham. That's where he will retire. Beckham will probably be in Avatar II by then and still living the high life in LA. Scholes will retire having played over 650 games for United, near on twice as many as Beckham.

Scholes never got close to winning European or World Player of the Year awards despite having been regarded by his peers as the finest central midfielder of his era. Beckham's millions, earning power and celebrity status will forever dwarf his old team-mate.

But what he could not achieve is the dream of playing for United all his life and retiring a United legend. Something he still says he always wanted to do. As Scholes will, as Ryan Giggs will. Due to his stubbornness and lust for the limelight Beckham won't.