David Beckham has been left out of Fabio Capello’s first England squad to play Switzerland on 6 February. It means Beckham will be left still searching for his 100th cap, although Capello has not fully closed the door on the 32-year-old former captain.

Capello, who also dropped Beckham at Real Madrid, is thought to have had doubts over his match fitness.

Beckham has not played a competitive game since England’s Euro qualifying defeat by Croatia on 21 November. However, Beckham has been training at Arsenal and said in Brazil that he “is as fit as I can be. I’m fit and sharp and I’m ready to be selected”.

The midfielder, who had been in the resort city of Natal to announce plans to expand his football academy, also posed for the cameras showing off his footwork skills on a beach. But Capello does not appear to share Beckham’s view however, and can point to that fact that Beckham’s LA Galaxy side have not played competitively since their MLS season ended last October. Beckham will now have to wait to join Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright in the exclusive club of players with 100 caps.