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Beckham to win 100th England cap against France; Ferdinand captain

Other News Materials 26 March 2008 03:49 (UTC +04:00)
Beckham to win 100th  England cap against   France; Ferdinand captain

( dpa ) - David Beckham will become the fifth man to win 100 England caps when he plays in Wednesday's friendly match against France in Paris.

England manager Fabio Capello confirmed that former captain Beckham will play some part in the game, though did not say whether he would start the match.

"I couldn't make him come all the way from the USA and not play him," Capello said.

The 32-year-old Beckham would like to play on with England until the 2010 World Cup, by which time he would be 35, and Capello did not rule out a role for him in the side.

"Nobody knows what the future holds," Capello said. "The David Beckham I know can get to 2010 if he works and trains hard."

Beckham said he was not looking too far ahead, but did admit that 2010 was a goal.

"It is something I want to reach," Beckham said. "I'd love to play and be part of the squad in 2010. But I'm taking it as it comes - who knows what is round the corner?

"The combination of the players and the combination of manager and staff is setting us up right for the qualification games for the World Cup."

Capello also revealed that Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand would captain the side for the first time.

It had been thought that John Terry, who missed Capello's first game in charge, would resume the captaincy but the Italian chose Ferdinand instead, saying that he would continue to chop and change before settling on a regular captain when England play their first World Cup qualifier in September.

"From what I've seen in the six days I have spent with him and from the games I've watched, Rio is a very good professional player," Capello said.

"I want to see various players and see how they captain the side and I will rotate them during these warm-up games. I will use at least two more."

Ferdinand was understandably delighted to get the job against France.

"It is a fantastic honour and an achievement in itself," he said.

"As a kid you grow up wanting to play for England and lead your country out and I've been given that honour of being able to fulfil those dreams."

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