HONG KONG - David Beckham once again underlined his belief his international career is far from over as the midfielder looks set for an England recall.
The 32-year-old's days seemed numbered when new manager Fabio Capello excluded him from his first squad against Switzerland last month due to fitness concerns.
Doubts were also raised that playing an inferior standard of football in MLS for Los Angeles Galaxy and a potentially gruelling trans-Atlantic schedule would count against Beckham in the future.
But Capello revealed on Wednesday that Beckham is in contention to win his 100th England cap in the friendly against France on March 26, although the Italian will assess the former Real Madrid midfielder again when Los Angeles Galaxy play FC Dallas on March 15.
Beckham believes the Paris encounter will not prove to be his last England appearance.
"I believe I can play for my country for a good few more years yet, that's just me being honest," he said.
"I believe that I can still play at that level. The standard is slightly different in the US but it's not as low as everybody thinks.
"We've got some very good teams and very good players and we play some really good football so we'll just have to wait and see."
Capello had previously told England fans Beckham 'will get his 100th cap if he is fit and in form' against France.
And the Galaxy midfielder revealed he never despaired over his international future having been reassured by the Italian he was in his plans to face Raymond Domenech's side.
"He said that once I'm back playing and if I'm fit and I'm playing well enough, then he'll pick me," said Beckham.
"The first game after he took charge I hadn't played any games and he explained that to me. I've played three games so far now and got through them all.
"Fitness-wise I'll be perfect but it's about performing and hopefully I'll do that."
Beckham confirmed he will be fit to face a South China Invitational side on Sunday - when Galaxy wrap up a three-match Asian tour in Hong Kong - after sustaining a slight knock in the 3-0 win over Shanghai Hong Kong United.
And if he does join Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright as only the fifth player to pass the century mark for England, he admitted it will be one of the proudest moments of a career that has seen him claim domestic titles in England and Spain as well as winning the Champions League.
"Reaching 100 games and reaching 100 caps is very special," he said.
"Being a proud Englishmen, it's something that I've always wanted to do since I was a young boy.
"I've always wanted to play for my country, I've always wanted to captain my country and I've always wanted to reach 100 games because there's not many players that have done that.
"It would be a proud moment if I did that but at the moment I'm working hard on my fitness and working hard with the Galaxy and if I get the 100th cap then great."
