Tough-guy Capello makes no Beckham guarantees

Tough-minded Fabio Capello insists he will not be swayed by sentimentality when it comes to handing David Beckham a record-equalling 108th England cap.

The 33-year-old former skipper, currently thriving in his loan spell at Italian giants AC Milan, will pull level with Bobby Moore’s record of 108 caps for an outfield player if he features in Wednesday’s friendly against Spain in Seville.

“I never think about this when I choose a player or make a substitution,” said Capello who has been impressed with Beckham’s form in Serie A.

“I never spoke to him about Italy. I don’t talk about whether it is better in Los Angeles or Milan, that is not my job. David is very fit now and this is important.”

Beckham’s club future was thrown into doubt on Saturday when his club Los Angeles Galaxy rejected a reported 10-million-dollar offer by Milan to make his move to Italy permanent.

He has already scored twice for Milan and knows that his dream of playing in the 2010 World Cup finals will stand or fall on his club form.

“Beckham is a very important player,” added Capello. “The form of David is OK now, I’ve watched him in one game in Milan.

“He is fit now. Every player in the squad has to play, not just train. This is important for David and for us. He is better than he was six months ago.”

Capello views the friendly against European champions Spain as a test of how far England have progressed after a year in charge.

Beckham should get a chance as Capello is planning to use his full compliment of substitutes, as a favour to Premier League managers who have congested schedules at this time of the season.

“I will try something different, a lot of substitutions because when we play on Wednesday I try to help the clubs because some players play too much,” Capello said. “There will be six substitutions.

“It’s not a fantastic time, this game, because a lot of teams play the FA Cup and the Premier League. This is one time when it is possible some players will be tired.”