Beckham set to hear England fate
David Beckham will find out on Thursday if he is likely to win his 100th cap next month when coach Fabio Capello names his first England squad.
Capello will name a preliminary party for the 6 February friendly against Switzerland at 1530 GMT, and Beckham is hoping to be part of it.
"I'm as fit as I can be. I'm fit and sharp and I'm ready to be selected," Beckham told SSB.
The final England squad will be announced at 1900 GMT on Saturday.
Former Germany World Cup winner Franz Beckenbaeur believes the Italian coach should give the LA Galaxy player the chance to join Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright in the exclusive club.
"I don't know what Capello's future planning is with regards to England," Beckenbauer said.
"What I do know is that it's always a nice gesture to give a world-class player, a living legend like Beckham is, a chance to play his 100th cap even if you are planning the future without him."
Capello's decision over Beckham, who he managed at Real Madrid, will not be the only hot debate ahead of the squad announcement.
Another is the issue of who will be captain, something which the 61-year-old has given paramount importance to.
"There are many things I have to evaluate and I must come up with a choice that is right," said the Italian.
"A captain must be a leader, someone who carries the team, somebody that in every moment is important for the team."
Chelsea centre-back John Terry, likely to miss the friendly because of injury, was the leader of choice under McClaren, but Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has given his endorsement to Rio Ferdinand, while Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will also be in the running.
There is also the issue about who will be Capello's number one goalkeeper, with Tottenham's Paul Robinson, Aston Villa's Scott Carson, West Ham's Robert Green, Portsmouth's David James and the uncapped Joe Hart of Manchester City all in the frame.
Meanwhile, other players understood to be in the running for a place in the final squad include Blackburn midfielder David Bentley, Reading striker Dave Kitson and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.
