"He is in contention for France. We will check on him in Dallas and then we will decide whether he will be fit for that squad," Capello was quoted as saying in British newspapers.

SYMBOLIC CAPTAIN

England face France in a friendly in Paris on March 26 but if that is too soon then Capello said Beckham can feel confident about winning his 100th cap, possibly in potential friendlies against the US and Trinidad & Tobago in May and June.

Capello was also asked who would be appointed permanent England captain after Steven Gerrard was given the armband on a temporary basis for the Switzerland match.

The Italian said he would decide in time for the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches which start away to Andorra in September.

"It's very important to choose the captain for the World Cup qualification games but I have to know not only the player but the man as well," Capello was quoted as saying on the FA Web site (www.thefa.com). "He must be a symbol of the England team.

"To be that symbol he must be a good player, a good man and he has to represent the England team, always, in every situation."

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily March 6, 2008)