Beckham vows to reclaim England place

David Beckham is determined to win his place back in the England team after being left out of Fabio Capello's first squad for the friendly against Switzerland next week.

Speaking in Brazil just ahead of Thursday's squad announcement, Beckham said: "I will carry on working hard and trying to get back in.

"I won't get bitter and twisted because I am old enough and I have got enough respect for the manager to realize that if it does not happen, life goes on.

"I have been lucky enough in my career to come back from tough times and disappointments. If it doesn't happen (winning a 100th cap), I will come back from it again. If it does, then great."

Beckham has spent much of the last month training with Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger weighed into the debate on Friday by praising his high level of fitness.

"We were all amazed how good he was," he said.

"I believe the English national team still needs Beckham because he can still make decisions and his experience will be needed in the big games and that is why I am sure he will get his 100th cap."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/02/01/beckham.reax/index.html