-zuco-
31-01-2008, 01:53 PM
David Beckham has been left out of Fabio Capello's first England squad to play Switzerland on 6 February.
It means Beckham will be left still searching for his 100th cap, although Capello has not fully closed the door on the 32-year-old former captain.
Capello, who also dropped Beckham at Real Madrid, is thought to have had doubts over his match fitness.
The Italian will name his provisional party at 1530 GMT on Thursday, with the final squad announced on Saturday.
Beckham has not played a competitive game since England's Euro qualifying defeat by Croatia on 21 November.
However, Beckham has been training at Arsenal and told BBC World in Brazil on Tuesday that he "is as fit as I can be. I'm fit and sharp and I'm ready to be selected".
Capello does not appear to share that view however, and can point to that fact that Beckham's LA Galaxy side have not played competitively since their MLS season ended last October.
Beckham will now have to wait to join Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright in the exclusive club of players with 100 caps.
Or indeed face up to the distinct possibility he may not play for England again.
Capello also has to make a decision on the issue of who will be captain, something which the 61-year-old has given paramount importance to.
"There are many things I have to evaluate and I must come up with a choice that is right," said the Italian.
"A captain must be a leader, someone who carries the team, somebody that in every moment is important for the team."
Chelsea centre-back John Terry, likely to miss the friendly because of injury, was the leader of choice under McClaren, but Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has given his endorsement to Rio Ferdinand, while Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will also be in the running.
There is also the issue about who will be Capello's number one goalkeeper, with Tottenham's Paul Robinson, Aston Villa's Scott Carson, West Ham's Robert Green, Portsmouth's David James and the uncapped Joe Hart of Manchester City all in the frame.
Meanwhile, other players understood to be in the running for a place in the final squad include Blackburn midfielder David Bentley, Reading striker Dave Kitson and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. bbc sport
It means Beckham will be left still searching for his 100th cap, although Capello has not fully closed the door on the 32-year-old former captain.
Capello, who also dropped Beckham at Real Madrid, is thought to have had doubts over his match fitness.
The Italian will name his provisional party at 1530 GMT on Thursday, with the final squad announced on Saturday.
Beckham has not played a competitive game since England's Euro qualifying defeat by Croatia on 21 November.
However, Beckham has been training at Arsenal and told BBC World in Brazil on Tuesday that he "is as fit as I can be. I'm fit and sharp and I'm ready to be selected".
Capello does not appear to share that view however, and can point to that fact that Beckham's LA Galaxy side have not played competitively since their MLS season ended last October.
Beckham will now have to wait to join Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright in the exclusive club of players with 100 caps.
Or indeed face up to the distinct possibility he may not play for England again.
Capello also has to make a decision on the issue of who will be captain, something which the 61-year-old has given paramount importance to.
"There are many things I have to evaluate and I must come up with a choice that is right," said the Italian.
"A captain must be a leader, someone who carries the team, somebody that in every moment is important for the team."
Chelsea centre-back John Terry, likely to miss the friendly because of injury, was the leader of choice under McClaren, but Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has given his endorsement to Rio Ferdinand, while Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will also be in the running.
There is also the issue about who will be Capello's number one goalkeeper, with Tottenham's Paul Robinson, Aston Villa's Scott Carson, West Ham's Robert Green, Portsmouth's David James and the uncapped Joe Hart of Manchester City all in the frame.
Meanwhile, other players understood to be in the running for a place in the final squad include Blackburn midfielder David Bentley, Reading striker Dave Kitson and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. bbc sport