Beckham in for long haul

DAVID BECKHAM has insisted playing Major League Soccer will not impair his effectiveness with England as he prepares to earn his 100th cap in tomorrow's friendly with France in Paris.

And the Los Angeles Galaxy player is ready to make regular long-haul trips if called up by Fabio Capello, even if he is only a squad player rather than a first-choice pick by the Italian.

Beckham will become only the fifth player to represent England on 100 occasions after Billy Wright, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton.

He said: "I am prepared to do all the travelling if that means me carrying on in the squad. I've been lucky for about ten years to be in the starting XI quite a few times and, of course, things change.

"I'm a very passionate person about playing for my country and I want that to continue whether I'm a squad player, a substitute or a player who comes on and takes a free-kick."