David Beckham insists he won't get 'bitter and twisted' about being left out of Fabio Capello's first England squad, and has vowed to do everything in his powers to earn the recall he craves.
Becks will have to play a waiting game before discovering whether he will be given the chance to join the 100-club and he says: "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 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."
Beckham added: "I have always said I want to be available. That's what I did when Steve McClaren dropped me (in August 2006). Deep down, I did not think I would ever play for England again.
"So to be on 99 caps is great. It's more than I dreamt of. If I am not in the squad, I will carry on working hard and trying to get back in. I won't get bitter and twisted because."
The LA Galaxy midfielder says he has no intention of calling time on his international career, but remains philosophical about the future.
He said: "I don't want to retire yet and I don't plan on retiring from club or international football. But you never say never. Things might change that might make me feel maybe it is time.
"Some people might say that if I win 100 caps I should call it a day then and quit on my own terms but that decision can only come from me. I have always said that when I didn't feel I could play at the top level, I would retire. But I still feel I can play at that level."
New England boss Capello maintains what he has said all along, that he has not closed the door on Beckham. The Italian said: "I know there has been a lot of discussion about David Beckham.
"The reason that David is not in the squad is because he has not had any real match practice since playing in November. I advised him that he is still part of my plans - and once he is playing regularly in America, we will look closely at him again."
England Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce, who is also part of Capello's coaching staff at the top level, said of Becks' exclusion: "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 and do everything in his power to get back in the England squad."
