Convinced David Beckham is fully healthy, England manager Fabio Capello has called the superstar into the England national team Thursday and the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder could earn his 100th cap in a friendly against France next week in Paris.
Beckham had hoped last month to join Peter Shilton, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Billy Wright as the only England national team players to reach the milestone, but he wasn't selected for a friendly against Switzerland because Capello wasn't convinced the 32-year-old Beckham was fully fit.
But Capello, who was Beckham's manager at Real Madrid, received positive reports from assistant Franco Baldini, who was at Pizza Hut Park to watch the Galaxy take on FC Dallas in a preseason friendly Saturday night, and added Beckham to the provisional 30-man roster. Capello will cut the squad Saturday night, but it's unlikely Beckham will be dropped.
"I always said that when David Beckham was fit he could be in the squad. I have had good reports on him from Franco Baldini, who watched him on Saturday night, and also from his club. I know a lot about David Beckham and what he can offer the team," Capello said.
After the scoreless draw, Beckham, who last played for England in the 3-2 loss to Croatia in November in a Euro 2008 qualifier, said he was well aware Baldini was in attendance.
"I think it's just like Premiership games when he goes to games there with Fabio Capello," Beckham said after the match. "He's obviously going to see how my fitness is and how my form is. It's only natural that's going to happen. There's no added pressure on my side.
"I just had to go out there and perform. I had to play the balls that I can play and work hard. I enjoyed the game tonight. It was a great game on a nice pitch before a majority of nice fans. I got stick from some of them, but that's normal. That's part of being a player for your national team. You're always being watched by somebody. It comes with the job."
Capello also spoke with Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit, who was impressed with Beckham's performance.
"David played well," Gullit said after the match. "He's an excellent player and a great example for the other players on the team, especially the youngsters. He has the experience we need to bring the youngsters to a new level. He made some excellent passes, but we couldn't convert any of them. I think he played excellently."
The friendly against France comes three days before the Galaxy open the regular season March 29 at Colorado.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
