Hard-working David Beckham hopes he has done enough to earn his 100th England cap next week
Former England captain working hard to prove his fitness
Hard-working David Beckham hopes he has done enough to earn his 100th England cap next week.
The former England captain has been training with Arsenal in a bid to convince new England coach Fabio Capello he is fit for next Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland at Wembley.
The LA Galaxy midfielder has been training with the Gunners as it is the MLS's close-season break.
New boss Capello will name his first squad on Saturday and some reports have speculated that Beckham may be omitted.
But Beckham, who played under Capello for a season at Real Madrid, believes he has done all he can to prove he is still worth his place.
Extra special
He told
Sky News on Tuesday from Brazil: "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.
"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."
As well as Beckham, Capello has other right-wingers including Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Blackburn's David Bentley to pick from.
Beckham added: "It's good to have the competition with the young players coming through.
Exciting time
"Hopefully it's going to be an exciting time for English football in the next few years because it needs to be.
"There have been a lot of people talking about the new manager and what players and team he's going to pick.
"It's very special to have someone of his pedigree and winning mentality as part of English football."
He added: "He's a very talented manager and he will do things in his way. Everyone will have to accept it.
"I was lucky enough to play for him at Real Madrid. He is a manager that will look after the players and give everyone a good boost."
The former Manchester United star admits he is happy in America and has no plans to return to the Premier League, despite reports linking him with a move to Newcastle.
He said: "I'm in the US for the next few years and I'm not planning to come back to English football because I've been lucky enough to play in the Premier League for a club I always wanted to play for.
"For me I am playing in America and I'm planning on staying there."
