(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-26 09:34

PARIS - David Beckham will play some part in England's friendly against France in Paris on Wednesday, when he will win his 100th cap, manager Fabio Capello said.

England's David Beckham attends a news conference at the team hotel in Watford, north of London March 24, 2008. [Agencies]

The Italian, who left Beckham out of his first squad against Switzerland in February, last week called him up for the Stade de France game and told a news conference on Tuesday that the midfielder would see some action.

"He will play, I couldn't possibly making him come from the United States and not play him, that would have been very cruel of me," Capello said of the LA Galaxy player, without saying whether he would start the match.

Beckham, who made his debut in 1996 joins Peter Shilton (125), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105) in the England hundred club and Capello, who coached Beckham at Real Madrid, said the 32-year-old could go on to win many more caps.

"I know him well and I know what he can give me and what he can give the team," said Capello, whose first task as coach will be to qualify the team for the 2010 World Cup.

"As for the future we will have to see, but the David Beckham I know can certainly last and get to 2010 if he carries on training as he has done.

"He has always been a very good professional and only people like that can last so long."

Capello confirmed he had Beckham closely watched in LA Galaxy's pre-season matches in Asia and received good reports on his play and fitness.

The Italian also confirmed that defender Rio Ferdinand would captain the side against France as he continues his policy of rotating the role until he names a permanent skipper in August.

Beckham seeks more glory as milestone approaches

David Beckham, already the world's most famous footballer, is expected to reach another career highlight on Wednesday by becoming only the fifth player to win 100 caps for England.

Beckham, who turns 33 in May, is back in Fabio Capello's England squad after missing the Italian's first match in charge against Switzerland last month.

Capello, Beckham's former club manager at Real Madrid, said he did not select him then because he was not fit enough - a view Beckham agreed with.

Capello made it clear then he would not award Beckham a "sentimental" 100th game, and would pick him only on merit.

Not for the first time in his long career, Beckham has risen to a challenge and says that if he plays against France in Wednesday's friendly it will be one of the greatest moments in an already glittering career.

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