Uncertainty over Beckham's 100th international cap

LONDON: Former England captain David Beckham is left lurching in the dark about his 100th international cap with all eyes set on the national team's Italian manager Fabio Capello before the announcement of the squad for the friendly against Switzerland at Wembley next week.

Capello has doubts over Beckham's fitness and wants to pick a team based on merit. Even Football Association (FA) does not want to put any pressure on the Italian to pick Beckham for commercial or sentimental reasons, according to reports in the British media.
 
Beckham, who had no contact with Capello since he took over the reins of the national side last month, however will be hoping that his vast experience will come to his aid during the team selection slated for Saturday. He also enjoys the support of former managers Sven Goran Eriksson and Alex Ferguson, both agreeing that Beckham should be bestowed with the honour.

The former Real Madrid star has not played for his American club, LA Galaxy, since he came on as a second-half substitute in their last Major League Soccer game of the season on Oct 21 last year. Even the last competitive game he played for England was as a substitute against Crotia last November, which they lost.

If given a chance to play next week, the 32-year old will become only the fifth player in England's history to feature in 100 international ties for the national team.