DAVID Beckham has revealed the low point of his career when he feared he would never play for England again as he prepares to win his 100th cap against France in Paris tomorrow.

Beckham gave up the captaincy after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany but was hurt'' when the then coach Steve McClaren rang to say he would not be part of his plans.

The former Manchester United star was on 94 caps and thought he would not have the opportunity to add to that tally.

But Beckham responded by performing well under Fabio Capello for Real Madrid and, as England's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign stuttered, he was recalled by McClaren.

Now he is one cap away from joining Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright in making 100 appearances for England.

Beckham said: I've had a few low points like that phone call from Steve McClaren. You always react off feelings and, when I had the phone call, I was shocked and hurt.

Then I had a 14-hour flight with Real Madrid to sit and think about it. I have just been talking to Woody (Jonathan Woodgate) about it and, funnily enough, he was sitting next to me when I got the phone call.

That was the time when I thought I would never get to 95 caps, yet alone have the chance of reaching 100. Realistically I thought it was over with England.

It was a pretty low point but I've always felt you respond to situations how you feel best. I thought the best way to respond was by performing and playing well on the field and not talking about anything I was feeling at the time.

I got my head down and I ended up getting back in the squad and the chance to reach that 95 and now I'm one away from 100, which will be brilliant for me if I reach it.'' Beckham is determined to carry on playing for his country once he has reached the three-figure mark and has his sights set on the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Los Angeles Galaxy player believes he is fit enough to continue playing at international level 12 years after making his debut against Moldova in September 1996.

He said: As much as reaching 100 is a milestone, it is still important for me to carry on. I want to be given the chance to take it beyond that.

Things can change. You can have extreme highs and lows. I've had those in the last couple of years but I wouldn't be sat here now and putting myself forward if I couldn't physically do it. I still feel I can perform at the highest level.

The 2010 World Cup remains an ambition. I am quite a stubborn person so it is something I want to reach.

Every player realises how lucky they are to play for their country but who knows what is around the corner?'' Beckham feels he has reaped the benefits from a strenuous pre-season at LA Galaxy under Ruud Gullit.

He said: We have been on tour and played a few games. I've got the fitness I needed. Ruud Gullit has been working us hard, doing double sessions, for the last three weeks. It has been good for me.

Double sessions for three weeks is tough work. We were in Hawaii for a week and then in Asia for two weeks. We worked extremely hard. It is the fittest the team and a lot of the guys have been.

The standard in America is higher than anyone thinks and expects. People say can you play at this level or that level. But it doesn't change me as a player.

I'll always be the same player that, if given five yards, I can cross a ball into the danger area.

People have said I've lost my pace but I've never had a major amount of pace. I was never someone who went past players.

It won't change my style of play."