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David Beckham anxious to achieve match fitness

David Beckham arrives with his team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, on Tuesday. PHOTO: EPA

David Beckham, who is just one match away from winning his coveted 100th England cap, admitted yesterday he has his work cut out to be fit enough to play for his country again.

England manager Fabio Capello overlooked him for his first match in charge against Switzerland earlier this month on the grounds that the 32-year-old was not match fit.

Now Beckham is racing against time to prove his worth in time for England's friendly against France on March 26 in Paris.

"I would love to reach the 100 caps, but I have to be physically ready to be part of the team," the former England captain said here where his club LA Galaxy are on a pre-season training camp. "All I've done is training. I have no match fitness."

Beckham and the Galaxy arrived in South Korea on Tuesday and will play an exhibition match on Saturday against FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

If he makes 100 caps, Beckham would be only the fifth Englishman to achieve the feat.

He said he understood Capello's decision not to pick him against Switzerland.

"I've played for Capello before, and he's a great manager," Beckham said. "He is a manager that will pick players that are fit enough. I understand he selected others who played more games."

Capello has assured Beckham that he still figures in his plans for the England team, provided he can prove his fitness.
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