Beckham snubbed by England coach but 100th cap still possible

LONDON—David Beckham has been told he has missed out on Fabio Capello’s first England squad but reassured that he could still get the chance to win the 100th cap he craves, according to English media reports.
Capello was due to announce his first squad since succeeding Steve McClaren as head coach later on Thursday and it appeared that the 32-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid star would not be in it.
Capello, who famously dropped then recalled Beckham when he was in charge of Real, reportedly telephoned the midfielder on Wednesday evening to let him know he had not made a 30-man provisional squad for next week’s friendly against Switzerland at Wembley.
The Italian was said to have reassured Beckham that he would be considered for selection in future squads once he is playing club football on a regular basis.
Beckham has been training with Arsenal but is not playing matches at the moment as it is the close season for Major League Soccer in the United States, where he plays for LA Galaxy.
In contrast, his main rivals for the slot on the right of England’s midfield, Chelsea’s Shaun Wright-Phillips and Blackburn’s David Bentley, have been playing regularly and are in fine form for their clubs.
Beckham said earlier this week he believed he had done all he could to prove to Capello that he was worthy of becoming only the fifth player to win 100 caps for England.
“To get picked to play for my country is always special and because it’s my 100th game it makes it extra special. It would mean the world,” he said.
“Hopefully it happens but we have to wait and see. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. That’s part of life and part of football. “But I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully I’ve worked hard enough this last month and a half to get myself fit and to make myself available.
“I haven’t spoken to Fabio Capello. Obviously he’s been very busy watching a lot of games and travelling around the country watching a lot of different players.
“I’m not planning on speaking to him until hopefully I meet up with the squad.”
Beckham’s international career appeared to be over once before, when he was was dropped by the incoming McClaren following the 2006 World Cup.
The former captain of the national side declined to retire then and that decision was vindicated when McClaren recalled him at the end of last season as England’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign faltered.
Beckham won his 99th cap as a substitute in the October defeat by Croatia which ensured England did not reach the finals of Euro 2008, and said afterwards that he believed he could play on until at least the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Capello however is known to be sceptical about whether playing in the MLS can keep Beckham sharp enough for international football.
But Beckham has repeatedly ruled out a move back to the Premier League, saying he could not imagine playing for anyone other than Manchester United.
“For me I am playing in America and I’m planning on staying there,” he said earlier this week.—Agencies