gangsteroc
08-01-2008, 02:11 PM
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has urged new national manager Fabio Capello to pick David Beckham for next month's friendly with Switzerland.
Beckham is one cap short of 100, but his selection for February's friendly at Wembley is by no means guaranteed.
The LA Galaxy midfielder has been training with Arsenal in a bid to be fit and ready for Capello's call.
"I have a message to Capello - he has to pick David at least once," said Eriksson as Capello took up the reins.
Beckham's club side are currently in their close season, prompting the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star to train with Arsenal.
Ticket sales for the Switzerland game have now passed beyond the 60,000 mark, and he is desperate to be part of it.
"I'm there to get my fitness for the MLS season and also to try to get fit for the England game," said Beckham.
"Even if it wasn't just for the 100th cap, for an England game I'd do the same.
"I want to be fit and be available for Mr Capello's first team and first game."
Beckham was speaking at a gala dinner where he was honoured by the Football Writers' Association.
And the 32-year-old revealed his fitness after a five-week break from football had surprised him.
"It's a lot better than I thought it was," he said.
"I feel great. I've had one day of training with the Arsenal team and three days of training with the fitness trainer."
Capello begans his four-and-a-half year deal, reportedly worth £6m a year, on Monday but was in the stands at Villa Park on Saturday to see Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-0 to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
"I am delighted with the reception I got from everyone I met at the stadium," said Capello after the game.
"The fans were fantastic to me and Aston Villa Football Club could not have been more helpful.
"It was very good to start work. I am now looking forward to seeing a lot of games very quickly over the next few weeks," the 61-year-old added.
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Beckham is one cap short of 100, but his selection for February's friendly at Wembley is by no means guaranteed.
The LA Galaxy midfielder has been training with Arsenal in a bid to be fit and ready for Capello's call.
"I have a message to Capello - he has to pick David at least once," said Eriksson as Capello took up the reins.
Beckham's club side are currently in their close season, prompting the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star to train with Arsenal.
Ticket sales for the Switzerland game have now passed beyond the 60,000 mark, and he is desperate to be part of it.
"I'm there to get my fitness for the MLS season and also to try to get fit for the England game," said Beckham.
"Even if it wasn't just for the 100th cap, for an England game I'd do the same.
"I want to be fit and be available for Mr Capello's first team and first game."
Beckham was speaking at a gala dinner where he was honoured by the Football Writers' Association.
And the 32-year-old revealed his fitness after a five-week break from football had surprised him.
"It's a lot better than I thought it was," he said.
"I feel great. I've had one day of training with the Arsenal team and three days of training with the fitness trainer."
Capello begans his four-and-a-half year deal, reportedly worth £6m a year, on Monday but was in the stands at Villa Park on Saturday to see Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-0 to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
"I am delighted with the reception I got from everyone I met at the stadium," said Capello after the game.
"The fans were fantastic to me and Aston Villa Football Club could not have been more helpful.
"It was very good to start work. I am now looking forward to seeing a lot of games very quickly over the next few weeks," the 61-year-old added.
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