Becks poised to join 100 club

ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello yesterday confirmed David Beckham will win his 100th cap in tonight’s friendly with France in Paris (8pm).

Beckham has been stuck on 99 appearances for his country since the end of last year and speculation about his participation has dogged the build-up to tonight’s game.

But Italian boss Capello revealed he will certainly feature in some capacity at the Stade de France.

Asked whether Beckham will start the game, Capello replied: “He will play (some part), I could not possibly make him come from the USA and not play him.

“I know David Beckham and what he can give me and I think he can make the difference in some respects. I know what he can give to a team.

“As for the future, we will have to see. Nobody knows what the future holds.”

Capello added: “I think every player would like to reach this target (100 caps) but very few manage it so you have to give David Beckham credit, he has done really well to achieve this.”

Capello has decided to make Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand captain for this game, and said: “From what I’ve seen in six days he has worked with me personally, and the games I have watched him play, Rio Ferdinand is a very good professional and as I said previously, I will rotate captains until we get to the World Cup qualifiers because I want to see various players and see who is best.”

The Italian confirmed he will try at least two more captains before deciding on his permanent skipper for the World Cup qualifiers starting in the autumn.

John Terry was expected to retake the armband after missing the friendly against Switzerland in January through injury but Ferdinand was given the nod instead.

Capello revealed he had not explained his choice to Chelsea captain Terry, saying: “I’m not expected to explain my choices to anyone. I made my choices based on reasoning and facts.”

Michael Owen was left on the bench against Switzerland, and Capello was coy on whether the Newcastle striker would be given a chance to impress in Paris: “At the moment I’m experimenting and I’m trying to see how I can make the team play and what choices I can make,” said Capello.