Beckham set for early return

Capello rues Beckham snub

Beckham 'rejects Capello'

Beckham's international career looked to be over when Capello said last month that he considered the 35-year-old too old for national selection but the public outcry caused the Italian to backpedal on his comments.

The former England captain, insisting he had no plans to retire, said he had since spoken to Capello and was confident that he would be picked if his form warranted selection.

"If you're performing and you're playing well then you have a chance of being in the squad," the midfielder said.

"The thing about my situation now is just getting back on the field and getting back fit. Then, what happens after that, we'll see."

Capello came under fire in Britain when he announced that he was no longer interested in picking Beckham even though he had not consulted the player before making the news public.

He was heavily criticised for his timing which came just hours after Beckham, who missed this year's World Cup in South Africa, because of injury, declared that he was fit enough to resume playing club soccer in the United States and excitedly talked about his unwavering dedication to England's cause.

"Obviously it was a surprise at the time but I spoke to him shortly after that and he explained everything to me and it was brushed under the carpet, so to speak," Beckham said.