GI Beckham reporting for duty: David set for 100th cap after winning England squad recall

The former England captain was gutted when Fabio Capello failed to select him for his debut game as manager against Switzerland last month.

But the Italian has remained true to his word after promising Beckham's playing days for England were not over and has selected him as part of the initial 30-man squad for next week.

Scroll down for more...

Becks has been battling back to match fitness and Capello's assistant, Franco Baldini, was impressed after travelling to Dallas to talk with LA Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit last week.

The player received the news after presenting a lifetime achievement award to Pele a fundraiser in New York to benefit Harlem Youth Soccer.

Arriving at Gotham Hall with a GI haircut seemingly borrowed from Jake Gyllenhaal's character in Iraq war movie Jarhead, he said: "For me to be here to present this to the greatest sportsman of all time, I feel particularly honoured."

"This absolutely is a highlight moment for me."

Scroll down for more...

If he picks up his century of caps against France after being marooned on 99, the game will also rank as a major moment in the player's career - even though the match is only a friendly.

First though, the 33-year-old has to survive the trimming of the squad, which will be cut to 23 after the weekend games.

Beckham, who temporarily fell out with Capello when the two were at Real Madrid, cannot be guaranteed his place.

However, it seems likely he will want to put the fuss of Beckham's 100 caps behind him without the pressure of having to win a competitive fixture.

Becks dined at Nobu in New York before his appointment, but wife Victoria sat the trip out.

She was last spotted sneaking into a taping of America Idol with her three sons in tow in LA on Tuesday night.

Scroll down for more...