David Beckham training with Arsenal to keep match-fit

He has been left out of Fabio Capello's first England squad to play Switzerland on 6 February.

This leaves him agonisingly short of his 100th cap. A 'cap' is the term used for an appearance in a team. In the past, players were awarded a white silk cap 白色丝毛 if they played an international match. This does not happen now, but the term 'cap' is still used.

Achieving 100 caps is quite unusual and an honour which would see Beckham join an elite band 精英群 including English football legends Sir Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore who have notched up 创下/完成 100 plus England appearances.

Match-Fit?  The reason that David is not in the squad is because he has not had any real match practice since playing in November   Fabio Capello, England boss

Capello dropped Beckham because of doubts over his match fitness. Beckham has paid the price 付出了代价 for not playing a competitive game since England's Euro qualifying defeat by Croatia on 21 November.

Capello said: "The reason that David is not in the squad is because he has not had any real match practice since playing in November".

Beckham and Capello have a stormy past. They fell out 闹翻/争吵 during their time together at Real Madrid after Beckham announced his decision to move to America. Capello left him on the bench 把他留在候补队员席上 for several matches but later restored him to the team which helped Real win La Liga.

Becks Stays Positive  I won't get bitter and twisted   David Beckham

Beckham has retained a positive outlook despite the latest disappointment and is still determined to reach the landmark 达到突破点（参加国际赛达100次）.

He said: "I won't get bitter and twisted 痛苦与折磨 because I am old enough and I have got enough respect for the manager to realise that if it does not happen, life goes on.

"I have been lucky enough in my career to come back from 重振旗鼓 tough times and disappointments. If it doesn't happen (winning a 100th cap), I will come back from it again, in my way. If it does, then great."

He believes the Italian manager can reverse the fortunes 转运 of the national side who face 面对 friendlies against Switzerland and France on 26 March, before beginning their World Cup qualifying campaign in Andorra on 6 September.

"It's an exciting time for English football and it's special to have someone of his pedigree in charge of the team," said Beckham. 'Pedigree' is normally a term we use to describe dogs who have been bred well, but we can also use the term to say someone’s history is impressive.

"It has been tough recently but Capello is someone who has lots of drive and winning mentality." 'Drive' in this context means a strong desire to achieve something.

A Fighter  He'll fight to try to win that next cap   Stuart Pearce, England Under-21s boss

Although fans are disappointed, it is likely that Beckham will see his 100th cap at some point in the future.

England Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce said: "I'm sure David has enough about him - he's shown it in the past - that he'll fight to try to win that next cap.

"He's been a fantastic servant to this country and to achieve 99 caps is fantastic. He will roll his sleeves up 摩拳擦掌 and do everything in his power to get back in the England squad." To have enough about him means that he has enough good qualities and skills.

Time will tell and the pressure will be on Beckham’s replacements to prove themselves on Wednesday. If they don’t come up to scratch 达标, who knows, Beckham could be back.