LONDON (AFP) - David Beckham will be firmly in the spotlight if he wins his 100th cap for England in Wednesday's friendly against France, but he is willing to retreat into the shadows if it helps Fabio Capello mount a serious challenge for the World Cup.

Beckham is poised to finally reach his century at the Stade de France in Paris and can expect a fitting fanfare for the achievement.

The LA Galaxy midfielder knows it might be the last time he is centre stage for England because the emergence of Blackburn's David Bentley, who shone in Capello's first match against Switzerland, could consign him to the bench sooner rather than later.

Beckham hasn't become a global icon without developing a keen sense of his own worth. But he is so keen to prolong his international career that even the prospect of being given a super-sub role doesn't faze him.

Joining Billy Wright, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton in England's elite 100 cap club won't give Beckham any special status with Capello.

Beckham is well aware of that after being dropped by the Italian when the pair were at Real Madrid last season. But the former Manchester United star believes his experience can be invaluable as Capello rebuilds.

"There are a lot of young players coming through, good players, and you have to accept sometimes that you're not going to start. But you'll accept anything if you're still part of the squad," Beckham said.

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

"If I can play at the highest level, I want to be a part of that still.

"I have been playing for England for 11 years and I have the experience there. I've got a few more wrinkles now, maybe. But if I don't play some games I've got the experience to talk to the squad. As much as you want to look to the future, the past is also important."

Beckham has been through an emotional rollercoaster ride since making his debut in 1996. The lowest moment came when Steve McClaren called to tell him he was dropped two years ago.

"I thought my England career was over. Deep down, I hoped it wasn't but, deeper down, I felt I wasn't going to get the chance to play for my country again," Beckham said.

"It's been a roller-coaster with all of you guys for the last 11 years. There have been times when people have thought I've been great in games, and others when people have wondered why I'm doing such silly things on the field when people look up to you.

"Without my family and people like Sir Alex Ferguson and my teammates, particularly in 1998 after I was sent off at the World Cup, I might not have been able to get through that time."

Capello's iron rule over the England camp showed no signs of softening this week as he put his players through their paces in the snow at Arsenal's training ground.

He demanded the players involved in Sunday's big Premier League matches report on time and Beckham is convinced that hardline stance will pay dividends in the long run.

"I've said since his appointment that he's, without doubt, the right man for the job," Beckham added. "He's got his own ways, he knows how to get teams playing. That's what our country needs. We need to get the confidence back of the nation and start by playing some good games.

"We've definitely got the right man for that. He's started off well. The regime has totally changed round and players have recognised that."

While Capello will demand maximum effort from England, France's players seem less enamoured of an unwanted distraction during the climax of domestic campaigns across Europe.

Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Louis Saha, Bacary Sagna and Karim Benzema are all sidelined, leaving Beckham the centre of attention. For one more time at least.